EU Orders TikTok to Revamp Platform Design or Risk Hefty Penalties
The European Union has warned TikTok that it must overhaul elements of its platform design deemed “addictive” or face substantial financial penalties, following preliminary findings that the app breached the bloc’s online safety rules.
The warning stems from an investigation launched by the European Commission in February 2024 into the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). Regulators concluded that TikTok failed to properly evaluate the potential harm of features such as autoplay and personalised content feeds, particularly on children and young users, and did not put sufficient safeguards in place.
In its initial assessment, the Commission said TikTok had not taken adequate steps to reduce risks linked to user wellbeing. The company has been invited to formally respond to the findings, after which regulators will decide whether enforcement action is necessary.
A TikTok spokesperson rejected the conclusions, describing them as inaccurate and unfounded, and said the company intends to contest the claims.
If the Commission’s position is upheld, TikTok could be fined up to 6 per cent of its global annual revenue – a figure that could run into billions of euros. EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said the company could avoid sanctions by making meaningful changes to how the service operates in Europe.
“The Digital Services Act makes platforms accountable for how their products affect people,” she said, adding that the EU would not hesitate to act to protect users, especially children.
Among the measures suggested by regulators are introducing screen-time reminders, particularly during late-night use, modifying recommendation algorithms, and disabling features such as infinite scroll, which allows users to move endlessly through short-form videos.
Experts say the move signals a significant shift in how authorities are approaching social media regulation. Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics noted that while TikTok has rolled out some safety tools, they fall short of EU expectations. She added that many young users themselves have been calling for stronger protections.
Social media analyst Matt Navarra said the Commission’s focus on product design – rather than just harmful content – marks a turning point. “This is about how platforms are built and how those design choices shape behaviour,” he said.
The action against TikTok is part of a broader crackdown on major tech firms by EU regulators. In recent years, the bloc has opened multiple investigations into online platforms, including probes into election interference, artificial intelligence misuse, and misleading account verification systems.
Analyst Paolo Pescatore described the latest warning as a clear signal to the industry. “The era of prioritising engagement at all costs is ending,” he said. “Platforms are now being pushed to design with responsibility in mind – and regulators have the power to enforce that shift.”
