The European Union has ordered TikTok to change the algorithm behind its For You feed, warning the social media platform that it faces large fines. On Friday, Brussels accused TikTok of breaching the EU’s Digital Services Act through a “harmful ‘rabbit holes’ effect.” The feed shows users similar clips based on what they have viewed or liked, even when the content is “triggering.”
European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen, who oversees tech sovereignty, said in a statement that each scroll or like causes the algorithm to serve more of the same. In her words, this leads users down rabbit holes they cannot easily escape. She said the preliminary findings show TikTok must do more to protect users’ well-being, including that of minors.
EU says TikTok’s changes fall short
According to the EU, the algorithm results in the “endless” exposure of users to “content about sadness, isolation or body image.” The bloc said TikTok had made some changes to address the risks identified by the commission, but that these were not enough.
TikTok rejected the findings, calling them “fundamentally inaccurate” and saying they distort its platform’s architecture and its commitment to user safety. A company spokesperson said TikTok has a strong record of protecting its community while giving users direct and intuitive control over their content.
Regulators said fines on the Chinese-owned platform could rise by up to 6 percent unless the issue is resolved. TikTok will have a chance to respond before the commission issues its final decision.
Wider European push to protect minors online
Recent efforts in France, Spain and England have focused on shielding minors on social media from predatory behaviour, cyberbullying, declining mental health and eating disorders. Several countries have introduced social media bans for children under 15.
In February, the EU found that TikTok had not adequately assessed how its addictive features could harm the physical and mental well-being of users, including minors. A senior EU official said the February findings focused on features such as notifications, while Friday’s order targets the algorithm itself.
In July, the bloc accused TikTok of exposing children to risks such as cyberbullying and predatory behaviour. In the same month, Brussels ordered Meta to change the feeds of Facebook and Instagram as part of an investigation into possible violations of the Digital Services Act.
