The European Union has warned TikTok to change its platform design or face heavy financial penalties. The European Commission said the video platform breached EU online safety legislation. Officials reached this conclusion after an investigation launched in February 2024. Regulators focused on how TikTok’s design influences user behaviour.
The Commission said TikTok failed to properly assess risks to mental wellbeing. Investigators examined autoplay and continuous content delivery. They said these features can harm users, particularly children. Regulators also said TikTok failed to introduce effective safeguards.
TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm described the conclusions as inaccurate and unfounded. TikTok said it plans to challenge the assessment.
EU Warns of Fines Worth Tens of Billions
TikTok has been invited to respond to the preliminary findings. The Commission will assess the response before issuing a final ruling. If violations are confirmed, regulators can impose severe penalties. The fine could reach six percent of TikTok’s global annual revenue. Estimates place that figure in the tens of billions.
EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must redesign its service in Europe. She said the company must act to avoid sanctions. Regulators expect meaningful structural changes.
Infinite Scroll and Algorithms Face Scrutiny
The Commission outlined several actions TikTok could take. Officials suggested introducing screen time breaks during late-night use. They also recommended changes to recommendation algorithms. These systems currently deliver constant personalised content.
Regulators also urged TikTok to disable infinite scroll. This feature allows users to swipe endlessly through videos. Officials believe it encourages excessive use and weakens self-regulation.
Virkkunen said the Digital Services Act holds platforms accountable for their impact. She said European authorities enforce these rules strictly. She stressed the goal is to protect children and citizens online.
Experts Say Current Protections Do Not Go Far Enough
Professor Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics said TikTok’s safety tools remain insufficient. She acknowledged some recent improvements by the platform. However, she said they fall short of EU standards. Livingstone said young users want stronger protections. She added many feel wellbeing comes second to profit.
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 major regulatory shift.
He said regulators now target platform design itself. He added the debate has moved beyond harmful content. According to Navarra, harmful design has become the central issue.
A Strong Signal to the Technology Sector
The TikTok case follows earlier EU action 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 use of the platform’s Grok tool.
In December 2025, the EU fined X €120m. Authorities said its blue tick system misled users. Regulators concluded the platform failed to properly verify account holders.
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore called the TikTok case a warning shot. He said it serves as a reality check for social media companies. Pescatore said the market is moving away from pure engagement. He added regulators now enforce responsibility by design.
