Social media: EU: TikTok endangers mental health - threat of punishment

Brussels is increasing the pressure on TikTok: The EU Commission is demanding changes to the app's algorithm. The mental health of users is at risk, argues Brussels.

The EU Commission is thus pushing ahead with the next proceedings against the app operated by the Chinese company Bytedance.

Brussels. According to preliminary investigation results by the EU Commission, TikTok is endangering its users through the video recommendations on its platform. The company faces a fine because its algorithm shows even vulnerable users an endless stream of personalized videos that can worsen psychological problems, the Brussels authority said.

The Commission accuses TikTok of not having adequately contained this risk. The algorithm evaluates viewing and liking as interest and then shows more similar content that revolves around sadness, isolation, weight and body image. The previous countermeasures are not effective. Even the “Not interested” button is not enough to change the feed.

Lost down the rabbit hole?

The so-called For You page, which is intended to display content that interests users particularly quickly, is the focus of the process. The EU Commission is demanding changes here because it fears so-called rabbit hole effects.

What this means is that you get so deeply lost in a topic that you can't find your way out - similar to how the main character in the story Alice in Wonderland gets lost down a rabbit hole. Algorithms - to put it simply, instructions for computers written by humans - can theoretically recognize and exploit such behavioral patterns so that users spend more time on a platform.

The EU Commission announced that the TikTok algorithm personalizes content that could be potentially stressful, thereby endangering children and young people in particular. Although TikTok has already taken certain measures against these mechanisms, they are not effective, according to the preliminary investigation results.

Further EU proceedings against TikTok are already underway

The EU Commission is thus pushing ahead with the next proceedings against the app operated by the Chinese company Bytedance. It is the third time that Brussels has confronted the online giant with investigation results and accused it of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). There has been no penalty since the first proceedings against TikTok were opened in February 2024.

The DSA is actually seen as a sharp sword against the influence of large platforms. However, critics repeatedly accuse the EU Commission of acting too hesitantly. Brussels points out that decisions must also stand up in court and should be carefully proven.

TikTok could face severe punishment

Proceedings are also underway against TikTok because of other ways the app works. The EU Commission fears that minors could become addicted. Specifically, the addiction-promoting mechanisms involve the uninterrupted, automatic playing of videos.

In addition, in a separate case in July, the Brussels internet watchdogs accused the company of not sufficiently protecting children and young people from aggressive behavior by other users. Among other things, the authority criticizes the fact that strangers can see the public user accounts of minors and contact the young users with abusive intentions.

In all proceedings, the company has the opportunity to defend itself against the allegations or to address the EU's concerns by making appropriate changes. If no amicable solution is found, it could be expensive for TikTok.

The EU Commission would then formally identify a violation and could impose a penalty of up to six percent of annual group sales. Daily penalties would also be possible to get TikTok to give in.