The European Commission is under pressure to apply the Digital Services Act (DSA) against TikTok, following concerns raised by rights groups about the app’s allegedly addictive design. Amnesty International has urged the Commission to address the potential harm posed by the platform, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures rather than restrictions on children’s digital engagement. The call highlights ongoing debates about ensuring children’s rights to safely participate in the digital realm.
The Commission’s preliminary findings suggest TikTok may be in violation of the DSA, as reported by JURIST. By employing features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and personalized algorithms, TikTok encourages prolonged user engagement. These elements are thought to contribute to compulsive behavior, posing risks to both physical and mental well-being, particularly among minors and vulnerable users.
A key area of concern is TikTok’s recommender system, which determines the “For You” feed by analyzing user interactions. The European Commission has criticized this as a mechanism that redirects users into “autopilot mode,” diminishing user control, and potentially encouraging harmful content consumption. Reports have noted that such features could even lead young users down paths towards distressing content, including material linked to suicidal ideation.
The Commission has recommended modifications to TikTok’s core design. Proposed measures include disabling addictive features over time, integrating effective screen-time breaks, especially during night hours, and reworking the app’s recommendation algorithms. Such changes would aim to mitigate the platform’s negative impact while retaining user engagement in a healthier manner.
Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, underscored the detrimental effects of social media addiction on young people’s cognitive development. She stressed that under the DSA, platforms hold responsibility for the consequences of their services on users.
The scrutiny on TikTok is part of a broader investigation initiated earlier this year, examining the app’s compliance with the DSA, a legislation designed to ensure online services protect citizen rights. Previously, TikTok faced allegations of failing to provide researchers access to public data, further fueling calls for stricter regulatory oversight.
The outcome of these regulatory discussions could set significant precedents for how digital platforms operate within the EU, as regulators continue to balance innovation with user safety.