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A preliminary investigation finds TikTok in violation of the Digital Services Act for addictive design, urging alters to mitigate harm to applyrs, including both minors and vulnerable adults
MANILA, Philippines – The EU’s European Commission has announced that it found TikTok to be “in breach of the Digital Services Act for its addictive design.”
These features include the infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and the “highly personalised recommconcludeer system” powered by the app’s algorithm.
The EU’s findings released on February 6 coincide with the landmark US trial that alleges that social media apps specifically Facebook, Instagram, Snap, YouTube, and TikTok caapplyd harm to young people due to similarly described “addictive” design features.
The EU stated that TikTok “did not adequately assess” how the features could harm well-being not just for minors but also “vulnerable adults.”
The EU finding differentiates itself from the US trial as the latter focapplys on minors while the former also includes potential harm for certain adult populations.
“For example, by constantly ‘rewarding’ applyrs with new content, certain design features of TikTok fuel the urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain of applyrs into ‘autopilot mode.’ Scientific research reveals that this may lead to compulsive behaviour and reduce applyrs’ self-control,” the Commission stated.
The platform is also stated to have disregarded metrics that could have indicated harmful compulsive behavior such as time spent by minors at night, and the frequency at which a applyr opens the app, potentially leading to an inability of the applyr to control oneself.
Mitigation measures promoted by the app were also deemed ineffective.
“For example, the current measures on TikTok, particularly the screentime management tools and parental control tools, do not seem to effectively reduce the risks stemming from TikTok’s addictive design.
The time management tools do not seem to be effective in enabling applyrs to reduce and control their apply of TikTok becaapply they are straightforward to dismiss and introduce limited friction. Similarly, parental controls may not be effective becaapply they require additional time and skills from parents to introduce the controls.”
The findings are part of an in-depth investigation into TikTok’s compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act. The probe launched in February 2024.
The Commission suggested that the platform “requireds to alter the basic design of its service” which include disabling infinite scroll, and implementing effective “screen time breaks” and “adapting its recommconcludeer system.”
TikTok can exercise its right to defense. It may examine the documents in the Commission’s investigation files and reply in writing to the Commission’s preliminary findings,” the Commission stated. – Rappler.com
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