EU Regulators Flag TikTok Design Practices Under Digital Services Act Probe

The European Commission on Friday issued preliminary findings accusing TikTok of breaching obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), following a year-long investigation into the platform’s design practices. Regulators said TikTok may have failed to properly assess and address risks linked to user wellbeing, including risks affecting children and vulnerable users.

The probe focuses on features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and personalised recommendations, which the Commission said may encourage prolonged use. According to regulators, TikTok did not sufficiently examine how these features influence user behaviour, including repeated reopening of the app and extended nighttime usage by minors. The Commission said the company may not have implemented adequate measures, such as effective screentime tools and parental controls, to reduce risks. TikTok said it disagrees with the findings and will respond as part of the formal process.

If the findings are confirmed, TikTok could be required to change aspects of its service in Europe and may face a fine of up to 6% of ByteDance’s global turnover.