The charges, announced Friday, follow a year-long investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU’s landmark legislation aimed at forcing large online platforms to better manage illegal and harmful content. Regulators say TikTok’s core design elements—including infinite scroll, autoplay, frequent push notifications, and its highly personalized recommendation engine—actively drive addictive behavior.
The European Commission alleges TikTok fails to assess or mitigate risks to users’ physical and mental well-being, particularly for children and vulnerable adults. Investigators also claim the company has ignored key indicators of compulsive usage, such as late-night screen time among minors and how often users reopen the app.
“The Commission’s preliminary findings present a categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform,” a TikTok spokesperson said, adding the company would challenge the charges.
What the EU Wants TikTok to Change
EU officials said TikTok must take concrete steps to reduce addictive usage patterns in Europe, including:
- Limiting or disabling infinite scroll over time
- Implementing effective screen-time breaks
- Strengthening night-time usage restrictions
- Reworking its recommendation system to reduce compulsive viewing
EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must change the basic design of its service in Europe to better protect minors.
Broader EU Crackdown on Big Tech
The charges against TikTok mark the latest escalation in the EU’s wider push to regulate major tech platforms. Last year, Meta’s Facebook and Instagram were charged under the DSA over “dark patterns” and deceptive design tactics. Regulators have also sought information from Snapchat, YouTube, Apple, and Google regarding age verification and access to harmful material.
The EU move has already sparked criticism from U.S. officials, who have accused Brussels of censorship, and has raised the specter of trade tensions, including threats of tariffs.
Global Trend Toward Restricting Teen Access
The EU’s action comes amid growing global concern over social media’s effects on young people. Several European countries, including France and Spain, are considering limiting social media access for teenagers, while India has proposed similar measures. In December, Australia became the first country to ban children under 16 from major platforms including TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
Virkkunen said EU countries retain authority to set age restrictions, though she suggested a common European approach could be beneficial given differing usage patterns across member states.
Next Steps
TikTok has the right to review the Commission’s evidence and submit a formal response before any final ruling is issued. The EU’s decision is expected to set a significant precedent for how platforms manage user well-being and content safety under the DSA.
EU lawmaker Alexandra Geese praised the move, saying social media platforms must stop exploiting addictive mechanisms to increase advertising revenue at the expense of young people’s health.
TikTok has already faced related legal pressure, settling a lawsuit over social media addiction and resolving DSA compliance issues tied to advertising transparency last year.