EU says TikTok must disable ‘addictive’ features like infinite scroll, fix its recommendation engine

The European Commission has raised serious concerns about TikTok's design, alleging that the platform is intentionally crafted to be addictive. In a recent investigation, the Commission pointed out features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications, alongside its recommendation algorithm, as contributing factors to compulsive user behavior. According to the Commission's preliminary findings, TikTok has failed to adequately evaluate how its design choices might negatively impact users, particularly minors and vulnerable adults. The investigation is part of the EU's enforcement of the Digital Services Act, which aims to regulate online platforms more strictly. The Commission criticized TikTok for ignoring key indicators of compulsive use, such as nighttime usage and the frequency of app openings. They noted that TikTok's design encourages users to keep scrolling by continuously offering new content, which can lead to a state of 'autopilot' and diminish self-control. "Scientific research indicates that such features may foster compulsive behavior," the Commission stated. As a solution, the EU has called on TikTok to overhaul its user interface by disabling addictive features like infinite scroll, introducing mandatory screen time breaks, and revising its recommendation system. In response, TikTok has rejected the Commission's claims, describing them as a misleading representation of its platform. A spokesperson emphasized their readiness to challenge the findings through all available means. While TikTok provides tools for managing screen time and parental controls, the Commission argues these measures fall short in mitigating the risks associated with its addictive design. They pointed out that the tools are often easy to overlook and require additional effort from parents to be effective. These allegations come amid increasing scrutiny of social media platforms worldwide, with various governments considering restrictions on young users. For instance, Australia recently mandated social media companies to deactivate accounts for users under 16, and similar measures are being explored in the U.K. and Spain. In the United States, 24 states have enacted age-verification laws. TikTok is currently processing a recent settlement related to a social media addiction lawsuit and will have the opportunity to respond to the EU's preliminary findings. Breaches of the Digital Services Act could lead to significant penalties, including fines that could reach up to 6% of the company's global revenue.