The European Commission has reached critical findings after a two-year investigation into TikTok, concluding that the social media platform promotes addictive behavior among minors due to its design and algorithms. In a recent meeting, EU Vice President Henna Virkkunen emphasized the need for TikTok to implement significant changes to protect the well-being of young users. The Commission has identified issues including the platform's infinite scrolling feature, personalized recommendations, and user alerts that contribute to addictive behaviors.
Amid increasing pressure from various EU Member States advocating for stricter oversight of digital platforms, the Commission's preliminary conclusions were released in light of an investigation initiated in February 2024. It stated that TikTok has failed to sufficiently evaluate how its features could negatively impact the physical and mental health of its users, particularly minors and vulnerable adults.
The Commission's report highlights that TikTok's design rewards constant engagement by providing users with endless content, which can lead to compulsive behavior and diminish self-control. These findings are anchored in the European Digital Services Regulation (DSA), which faces scrutiny from the Trump Administration and major technology companies, who argue it infringes on free speech and discriminates against American firms. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.
EU analysts have cited various studies indicating that TikTok is particularly addictive for minors. One study from the French Parliament found that 8% of users aged 12 to 15 engage with such platforms for more than five hours daily, while a Danish study reported that eight-year-olds spend about 130 minutes on them each day. A Polish analysis highlighted that TikTok is most frequently used by individuals aged 13 to 18 during late-night hours.
While these preliminary conclusions do not imply a final decision, they open a dialogue for TikTok to address the highlighted concerns, present evidence, and propose alternatives. Should these findings be confirmed, TikTok could face a compliance sanction, resulting in fines up to 6% of its global revenue, which amounts to approximately $200 billion annually. Thus, the maximum fine could reach around $12 billion (over €10 billion). The largest previous penalty assessed by Brussels was €4.34 billion against Google for antitrust violations.
Sources involved in the investigation indicate that it is premature to determine what modifications will satisfy the Commission, as a consultation phase with TikTok is now set to commence, lasting at least three months. The platform is expected to propose measures to mitigate identified risks.
Virkkunen remarked that TikTok's operational strategies primarily aim to retain users for extended periods, which poses significant risks. Following the release of the preliminary findings, the Commission urges immediate action from TikTok. Over a year ago, the company introduced a compensation system called TikTok Lite for users in France and Spain, but withdrew it after the EU warned it may violate local regulations.
In response to the accusations, TikTok has firmly rejected the Commission's claims, labeling them as “a categorically false and totally unfounded description of our platform,” and has vowed to challenge the findings using all available resources.
Beyond the investigation into TikTok, Virkkunen highlighted a growing consensus among EU governments regarding the insufficient measures platforms have in place to safeguard minors. She noted that similar investigations targeting digital platforms are underway, including inquiries into Meta and its platforms, Instagram and Facebook.
The vice president attributed delays in these processes to evolving changes in digital technology and algorithms, especially as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated. She stated that important developments can occur during lengthy investigations, necessitating ongoing scrutiny to ensure compliance with regulations established in 2022 regarding digital markets and services.
