The European Union has ordered TikTok to overhaul its platform design or face severe financial penalties. The European Commission said the video app violated EU online safety rules. Officials reached this decision after an investigation launched in February 2024. Regulators focused on how TikTok’s design drives user behaviour.
The Commission said TikTok failed to properly assess risks to mental wellbeing. Investigators examined autoplay and endless content feeds. They said these features can harm users, particularly children. Regulators also said TikTok did not implement enough measures to reduce these risks.
TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm described the conclusions as false and unfounded. TikTok said it plans to formally challenge the assessment.
Brussels Signals Fines in the Tens of Billions
TikTok has been invited to respond to the Commission’s preliminary findings. Regulators will evaluate the response before making a final decision. If breaches are confirmed, the Commission can impose massive fines. The penalty could reach six percent of TikTok’s global annual revenue. Analysts estimate the total could reach tens of billions.
EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must redesign its service across Europe. She added the company must act to avoid sanctions. Regulators expect concrete and structural changes, not minor tweaks.
Autoplay and Infinite Scroll Face Regulatory Pressure
The Commission proposed several actions TikTok could adopt. Officials recommended introducing screen time breaks during late-night usage. They also suggested 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 swipe endlessly through videos. Officials said it encourages excessive use and weakens user self-control.
Virkkunen said the Digital Services Act holds platforms accountable for user impact. She added European authorities enforce these rules strictly. She stressed the goal is to protect children and citizens online.
Experts Say TikTok’s Safety Measures Fall Short
Professor Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics said TikTok’s safety tools remain insufficient. She acknowledged some recent improvements on the platform. However, she said these steps fall short of EU requirements. Livingstone said young users want stronger protections. She added many feel platforms prioritise profit over wellbeing.
Social media analyst Matt Navarra said the term addictive often gets misused. However, he said regulators relied on behavioural science. Navarra described the findings as a turning point for oversight.
He said regulators now focus on platform design itself. He added the debate has moved beyond harmful content. According to Navarra, toxic design has become the central issue.
A Warning to Global Tech Companies
The TikTok case follows earlier EU actions against major technology firms. In December 2024, regulators opened another investigation into TikTok. That probe 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 platform’s Grok tool.
In December 2025, the EU fined X €120m. Authorities said its blue tick system misled users. Regulators concluded the company failed to properly verify account holders.
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 added the market is shifting away from pure engagement. Regulators now enforce responsibility by design.
