European regulators are raising serious concerns about the design of TikTok, warning that some of its most popular features may be breaking EU digital laws.
The European Commission says TikTok’s addictive design could violate the Digital Services Act, a law meant to protect users online.
According to preliminary findings from an ongoing investigation, features such as infinite scroll, autoplay videos, frequent push notifications, and TikTok’s highly personalised recommendation system may encourage compulsive use. EU officials argue that these tools keep users scrolling without thinking, which could negatively affect their mental and physical well-being.
The Commission explained that constantly rewarding users with new content can push the brain into an “autopilot mode,” reducing self-control and increasing the risk of unhealthy screen habits. Regulators also believe TikTok’s current screen-time limits and parental controls are not strong enough and may need major improvements.
If the findings are confirmed, TikTok could be forced to redesign key parts of its app and face a fine of up to 6 percent of its global annual revenue. The investigation, which began in February 2024, has already accused TikTok of lacking transparency in advertising and restricting researcher access to public data.
TikTok has strongly rejected the claims, calling the Commission’s conclusions misleading and saying it will challenge them through legal channels. The case comes at a difficult time for the platform, as governments around the world increase pressure on social media companies. Countries like Spain have even proposed blocking social media access for users under 16, showing how fast attitudes toward online platforms are changing.
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