EU Charges TikTok Over Addictive Design, Warns Of Fines Up to 6% Of Global Turnover

Last Updated:February 06, 2026, 17:45 IST

The European Commission charged TikTok with breaching EU content rules over addictive design features, warning ByteDance of a possible fine.

The European Commission on Friday charged TikTok with breaching European Union online content rules, citing concerns over the app’s addictive design features. The regulator warned that the platform could be forced to change its design in Europe or face a fine of up to 6% of parent company ByteDance’s global annual turnover, as reported by Reuters.

The charges were laid out in the Commission’s preliminary findings following a year-long investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires large online platforms to take stronger measures to curb illegal and harmful content and address systemic risks.

EU regulators said their concerns centre on TikTok’s allegedly addictive features, including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and its highly personalised recommendation system. According to the Commission, these design elements continuously generate new content that rewards users and encourages prolonged scrolling, pushing users into what it described as an “autopilot" mode.

The watchdog said TikTok failed to adequately assess the risks posed by these features to users’ physical and mental well-being, particularly children and vulnerable adults. It accused the platform of overlooking key indicators of compulsive use, such as the amount of time minors spend on the app late at night and how frequently users open the app.

The Commission also said TikTok appears not to have implemented sufficiently effective measures, such as robust screen-time management tools and parental controls, to mitigate risks arising from its design. As a result, the regulator said the company may need to make fundamental changes to how its service operates in Europe.

“So now we are expecting, after publishing these preliminary findings, that TikTok has to take action and change the design of its service in Europe to protect our minors," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters.

TikTok strongly rejected the allegations. A company spokesperson said the Commission’s findings present a “categorically false and entirely meritless depiction" of the platform and added that TikTok would challenge the charges through all available legal avenues.

Under EU rules, TikTok can now review the Commission’s evidence and submit a written response before a final decision is taken. The Commission said investigations into other major online platforms are also progressing, with further decisions expected in the coming weeks and months.

Last year, TikTok settled a separate DSA case related to its failure to publish an advertisement repository designed to help users and researchers identify scam advertisements.

News world EU Charges TikTok Over Addictive Design, Warns Of Fines Up to 6% Of Global Turnover

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