European Commission alleges TikTok recommendation algorithm violates online safety laws
Regulators claim TikTok's 'For You' page design fosters addictive behavior and negative psychological effects in users.
The European Commission has formally notified TikTok that its current recommendation system likely breaches the Digital Services Act (DSA). Regulators argue the platform's 'For You' feed design creates a 'rabbit hole' effect, potentially exposing users to content related to body image, sadness, and isolation.
This preliminary assessment follows a broader investigation into the platform’s addictive design features. Although the company introduced various control mechanisms to mitigate algorithmic risk, EU officials stated that these measures have proven insufficient in addressing the systemic safety concerns raised by the Commission.
The regulatory body now expects the company to overhaul its algorithm and address the negative behavioral patterns linked to its infinite scroll feature. TikTok faces potential penalties if it fails to demonstrate compliance with the bloc’s digital safety mandates.