EU Takes Aim at TikTok's Addictive Features: Major Changes on the Horizon

TikTok may soon be forced to implement significant changes designed to reduce its addictive nature, following a preliminary ruling by the European Union (EU) indicating that the platform has violated the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA). With over 1 billion users globally, the app has been criticized for its design that potentially harms the mental and physical well-being of its users, particularly children and vulnerable adults. The EU's executive body has pointed out that TikTok's user interface encourages continuous scrolling and can shift users into a state of 'autopilot,' fostering compulsive behavior that diminishes self-control. This design flaw has raised alarms regarding the amount of time children spend on the app, especially during late hours. According to the European Commission, TikTok failed to conduct thorough assessments of its design's impact on user behavior. The preliminary ruling suggests that TikTok must consider making substantial changes to its service, including revising its algorithm that promotes endless content consumption. Potential modifications being considered include disabling certain addictive features like infinite scrolling, implementing effective breaks for screen time—particularly at night—and overhauling the recommendation system. Additionally, the Commission noted that TikTok's safety protocols are lacking, specifically the screen time management and parental control tools, which they deem insufficient in mitigating the risks associated with the app's design. The current screen time features are criticized for being too easily bypassed, while parental controls are described as overly complicated and burdensome to install. Though this ruling is preliminary and does not conclusively determine the outcome of the ongoing investigation, TikTok will have the opportunity to challenge the findings. Online safety advocates are urging policymakers to address the characteristics of social media platforms that encourage prolonged engagement. Beeban Kidron, a crossbench peer and online safety campaigner, has called on the British government to counteract the addictive 'dopamine loops' created by such platforms, indicating a growing movement to hold social media companies accountable for their designs. The consequences of breaching the DSA can be severe and include hefty fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual revenue, as well as enforced changes to their platform. Although TikTok has not disclosed its revenue, estimates suggest it will generate around $35 billion this year. Last year, the platform 'X' owned by Elon Musk received a €120 million fine (approximately $104 million) under similar DSA violations, marking a significant step in EU enforcement against non-compliant digital services. As discussions around digital safety and mental health persist, the outcome of this ruling may reshape the landscape of social media user experience, particularly for one of the world's most popular applications. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3