EU Orders TikTok to Disable Addictive Features Like Infinite Scroll
▼ Summary
– The European Commission accused TikTok of using addictive design features like infinite scroll and autoplay, which it says can lead to compulsive user behavior.
– The Commission’s preliminary findings state TikTok failed to adequately assess how its design harms the well-being of minors and vulnerable adults.
– TikTok must change its basic design, such as disabling infinite scroll and implementing effective screen time breaks, to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act.
– TikTok denied the allegations, calling the findings false and meritless, and stated it will challenge them.
– Confirmed breaches of the DSA could result in major sanctions, including fines of up to 6% of TikTok’s global annual turnover.
The European Commission has formally accused TikTok of intentionally creating an addictive user experience, directly challenging the platform’s core design. In a significant move under the Digital Services Act (DSA), regulators identified features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications as primary culprits that undermine user well-being. The preliminary findings state the company failed to properly evaluate how its interface could harm minors and vulnerable adults, ignoring clear indicators of compulsive use such as late-night activity and frequent app openings.
According to the Commission, the platform’s design actively fuels problematic engagement. By constantly rewarding users with new content, these features can trigger compulsive behavior and reduce self-control, effectively putting the brain into an autopilot state. To achieve compliance, TikTok must now fundamentally alter its basic interface. The mandated changes include disabling the infinite scroll mechanism, implementing more effective screen time breaks, and revising its content recommendation algorithms.
TikTok has forcefully rejected these allegations. A company spokesperson characterized the findings as “categorically false and entirely meritless,” vowing to challenge them through all available means. The platform points to its existing suite of screen-time management tools and parental controls as evidence of its commitment to user welfare.
However, European regulators argue these existing safeguards are insufficient. They contend the time-management tools are too easy for users to dismiss and offer limited friction, while parental controls demand excessive time and technical skill from caregivers to implement effectively. This clash occurs amid a global wave of scrutiny targeting social media’s impact on young people. Nations including Australia, the U.K., Spain, France, and multiple U.S. states are pursuing or have enacted various age-restriction and verification laws aimed at protecting younger audiences.
The outcome of this investigation carries substantial financial stakes for TikTok. Confirmed breaches of the DSA can result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s global annual turnover. The company now has a window to formally respond to the preliminary findings. This action follows TikTok’s recent settlement of a major social media addiction lawsuit in the United States, highlighting the growing legal and regulatory pressure on its operational model.
(Source: TechCrunch)
