The European Union has warned 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 that began 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 focused on autoplay and continuous content feeds. They said these features can harm users, especially children. Regulators also said TikTok did not implement sufficient safeguards to reduce these risks.
TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm described the conclusions as false and unfounded. TikTok said it intends to challenge the assessment.
Brussels Threatens Billions in Fines
TikTok has been invited to respond to the Commission’s preliminary findings. Regulators will review the response before issuing a final decision. If breaches 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 to avoid sanctions. Regulators expect meaningful structural changes, not minor adjustments.
Infinite Scroll and Algorithms Under Scrutiny
The Commission suggested several changes TikTok could adopt. Officials recommended screen time breaks during late-night use. They also called for modifications to recommendation algorithms. These systems currently deliver 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 reduces user self-control.
Virkkunen said the Digital Services Act makes platforms accountable for their effects. She added Europe enforces 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 tools remain inadequate. She acknowledged some improvements made by the platform. However, she said these measures do not meet EU standards. Livingstone said young users want stronger protections. She added many feel platforms prioritise profit over wellbeing.
Social media analyst Matt Navarra said the word 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 target platform design itself. He added the debate has moved beyond harmful content. According to Navarra, toxic design has become the central issue.
A Strong Warning for the 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 company failed to properly verify account holders.
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore described the TikTok case as a warning shot. He said it acts as a reality check for social media platforms. Pescatore added the market is shifting away from pure engagement. Regulators now enforce responsibility by design.
