The European Commission Accuses TikTok of Designing Addictive App Features
The European Commission recently accused TikTok of purposefully designing its app to be “addictive,” highlighting features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and its recommendation engine. In a preliminary investigation to assess TikTok’s compliance with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, the Commission found that the popular short video platform did not adequately consider how its design choices could impact the well-being of users, especially minors and vulnerable adults.
The Commission noted that TikTok ignored key indicators of compulsive app use, such as late-night usage and frequency of app opens. By constantly providing users with new content, certain design elements of TikTok encourage continuous scrolling and can put users in an “autopilot mode,” potentially leading to compulsive behavior and reduced self-control, according to scientific research cited by the Commission.
As a result of these findings, the Commission has called for TikTok to make significant changes to its user interface. This includes disabling features like infinite scroll, implementing screen time breaks, and revamping its recommendation system to promote healthier usage habits.
However, TikTok has denied these allegations, calling the Commission’s preliminary findings “categorically false and entirely meritless.” The company has vowed to challenge the accusations through all available means.
TikTok’s Response to Allegations
Despite the Commission’s claims, TikTok does offer screen-time management tools and parental controls on its platform. However, the Commission believes that these tools are not effective enough in mitigating the risks associated with TikTok’s addictive design. According to the Commission, the time management tools are easily dismissed by users and introduce minimal friction, while parental controls may require additional time and skills from parents to implement effectively.
Social Media Platforms Under Scrutiny Worldwide
The allegations against TikTok come at a time when social media platforms are facing increased scrutiny globally. Some governments have even proposed banning young users from accessing social media altogether. For instance, Australia recently mandated social media sites to deactivate accounts of users under 16, and the U.K. and Spain are reportedly considering similar measures. Several countries, including France, Denmark, Italy, and Norway, have also explored age-restriction laws for social media platforms.
In the U.S., TikTok settled a significant social media addiction lawsuit and is now required to respond to the European Commission’s preliminary findings. Any confirmed violations of the Digital Services Act could result in severe penalties, including fines of up to 6% of the company’s global annual turnover.
This article was updated to include TikTok’s response to the European Commission’s accusations.
