The European Union has told TikTok to change its platform design or face massive financial penalties. The European Commission said the video app violated EU online safety rules. Officials reached this conclusion after an investigation launched in February 2024. Regulators examined how TikTok’s features influence user behaviour.
The Commission said TikTok failed to properly assess risks to mental wellbeing. Investigators highlighted autoplay and endless content feeds. They said these features can harm users, especially children. Regulators also said TikTok did not put in place enough safeguards to limit these risks.
TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm called the conclusions false and unfounded. TikTok said it plans to formally challenge the assessment.
Brussels Warns of Fines in the Tens of Billions
TikTok has been invited to respond to the Commission’s preliminary findings. Regulators will review the response before issuing a final decision. If violations are confirmed, the Commission can impose heavy fines. The penalty could reach six percent of TikTok’s global annual revenue. Analysts estimate the total could reach tens of billions.
EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must redesign its service in Europe. She added the company must act quickly to avoid sanctions. Regulators expect substantial and lasting design changes rather than minor adjustments.
Infinite Scroll and Algorithms Come Under Fire
The Commission suggested several actions TikTok could adopt. Officials recommended adding screen time breaks during late-night use. They also proposed changes to recommendation algorithms. These systems currently push constant personalised content to users.
Regulators urged TikTok to disable infinite scroll. This feature allows users to swipe endlessly through videos. Officials said it encourages compulsive use and weakens self-control.
Virkkunen said the Digital Services Act makes platforms accountable for user impact. She added European authorities enforce these rules strictly. She stressed the goal is to protect children and citizens online.
Experts Say Current Safety Tools Are Insufficient
Professor Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics said TikTok’s safety features remain inadequate. She acknowledged some improvements made by the platform. However, she said these measures fall short of EU requirements. Livingstone said young users want stronger protections. She added many feel platforms prioritise profit over wellbeing.
Social media analyst Matt Navarra said the term addictive often gets misused. However, he said regulators relied on behavioural science. Navarra described the findings as a turning point for oversight.
He said regulators now focus on platform design itself. He added the debate has moved beyond harmful content. According to Navarra, toxic design is now the central concern.
A Clear Signal to the Global Tech Industry
The TikTok case follows earlier EU actions against major technology companies. In December 2024, regulators opened another investigation into TikTok. That probe examined alleged foreign interference in Romania’s presidential election.
The EU also launched an inquiry into Elon Musk’s X in January. Officials raised concerns about AI-generated sexualised images. Regulators examined the platform’s Grok tool.
In December 2025, the EU fined X €120m. Authorities said its blue tick system misled users. Regulators concluded the platform failed to properly verify account holders.
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore described the TikTok case as a warning shot. He said it serves as a reality check for social media platforms. Pescatore added the market is shifting away from pure engagement. Regulators now enforce responsibility by design.
