The European Union has warned TikTok to change its platform design or face serious financial penalties. The European Commission said the video platform breached EU online safety rules. Officials reached this conclusion after an investigation launched in February 2024. Regulators examined how TikTok’s design affects user behaviour.
The Commission said TikTok failed to properly assess risks to mental wellbeing. Investigators focused on autoplay and endless content delivery. They said these features can harm users, especially children. Regulators also said TikTok did not implement effective measures to reduce these risks.
TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm described the conclusions as inaccurate and unjustified. TikTok said it intends to challenge the assessment.
Commission Raises Threat of Massive Financial Penalties
TikTok has been invited to respond to the preliminary findings. The Commission will evaluate the response before making a final decision. If regulators confirm the breaches, they can impose heavy fines. The penalty could reach six percent of TikTok’s global annual turnover. Estimates place that figure in the tens of billions.
EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must redesign its European service. She said the company must act to avoid sanctions. Regulators expect meaningful and structural changes.
Endless Scrolling and Algorithms Under Review
The Commission proposed several steps TikTok could take. Officials suggested introducing screen time breaks during night-time use. They also recommended changes to recommendation algorithms. These systems currently push constant personalised content to users.
Regulators also urged TikTok to disable infinite scroll. This feature allows users to move endlessly through videos. Officials believe it encourages excessive use and weakens self-control.
Virkkunen said the Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for user impact. She said European authorities actively enforce these rules. She stressed the aim is to protect citizens and children online.
Experts Say TikTok Falls Short of EU Standards
Professor Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics said TikTok’s safety tools remain inadequate. She acknowledged some recent improvements by the platform. However, she said these steps do not meet EU requirements. Livingstone said young users support 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 major shift in regulation.
He said regulators now focus on platform design itself. He added the debate has moved beyond harmful content. According to Navarra, harmful design now sits at the centre of concern.
A Broader Warning to Global Tech Firms
The TikTok case follows earlier EU action against major technology companies. In December 2024, regulators opened another investigation into TikTok. That case 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 use of 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 identities.
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 said the market is shifting away from pure engagement. He added regulators now enforce responsibility through design.
