The European Union has warned TikTok to change its platform design or face major financial penalties. The European Commission said the video app breached EU online safety laws. Officials reached this conclusion after an investigation that began in February 2024. Regulators examined how TikTok’s features shape user behaviour.
The Commission said TikTok failed to properly assess risks to user wellbeing. Investigators focused on autoplay and endless content delivery. They said these features can harm users, particularly children. Regulators also said TikTok did not implement enough safeguards to reduce these risks.
TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm described the conclusions as inaccurate and unjustified. TikTok said it plans to challenge the assessment.
Brussels Threatens Fines in the Tens of Billions
TikTok has been invited to respond to the Commission’s preliminary findings. Regulators will review the response before issuing a final decision. If violations are confirmed, they can impose heavy fines. The penalty could reach six percent of TikTok’s global annual revenue. Analysts estimate the total could reach tens of billions.
EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must redesign its European service. She added the company must act to avoid sanctions. Regulators expect concrete structural changes, not symbolic fixes.
Autoplay and Infinite Scroll Come Under Scrutiny
The Commission outlined several steps TikTok could take. Officials suggested introducing screen time breaks during late-night use. They also recommended changes to recommendation algorithms. These systems currently push constant personalised content to users.
Regulators also urged TikTok to disable infinite scroll. This feature allows users to swipe endlessly through videos. Officials said it encourages excessive use and reduces self-control.
Virkkunen said the Digital Services Act makes platforms accountable for their impact. She added Europe enforces these rules strictly. She stressed the aim is to protect children and citizens online.
Experts Say Safety Measures Still Fall Short
Professor Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics said TikTok’s safety tools remain insufficient. She acknowledged some improvements made by the platform. However, she said these steps fail to meet EU standards. Livingstone said young users want stronger protections. She added many feel platforms prioritise profit over wellbeing.
Social media analyst Matt Navarra said the term addictive often gets misused. However, he said regulators relied on behavioural science. Navarra described the findings as a turning point for regulation.
He said regulators now focus on platform design itself. He added the debate has shifted beyond harmful content. According to Navarra, harmful design is now the central issue.
A Clear Signal to Global Tech Firms
The TikTok case follows previous EU action against major technology companies. In December 2024, regulators opened another investigation into TikTok. That case examined alleged foreign interference in Romania’s presidential election.
The EU also launched an inquiry into Elon Musk’s X in January. Officials raised concerns about AI-generated sexualised images. Regulators examined the use of the platform’s Grok tool.
In December 2025, the EU fined X €120m. Authorities said its blue tick system misled users. Regulators concluded the platform failed to properly verify account holders.
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore described the TikTok case as a warning shot. He said it acts as a reality check for social media companies. Pescatore said the market is shifting away from pure engagement. He added regulators now enforce responsibility by design.
