EU Takes Aim at TikTok's Addictive Design Features

The European Commission has initiated a significant regulatory effort targeting TikTok, marking the first time it has addressed the addictiveness of social media design under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission has mandated that TikTok implement several changes, including disabling infinite scrolling, instituting strict screen time breaks, and modifying its recommendation algorithms. This decision stems from concerns that TikTok's design is particularly addictive to users, especially children. The Commission's findings represent a pivotal shift in how social media platforms may be regulated globally, as they now treat addictive design as an enforceable risk.

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The scrutiny of TikTok is not an isolated case; Meta's Facebook and Instagram are also under investigation for similar issues regarding their addictive designs. The Commission's investigations into these platforms began in May 2024, focusing on whether their designs endanger children. Henna Virkkunen, the EU tech chief, indicated that the findings signal a new level of maturity in the Commission's approach to systemic risks associated with social media. The implications of these investigations could extend beyond TikTok, potentially setting a precedent for how other platforms are required to alter their designs to mitigate risks to users.

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In response to the Commission's findings, TikTok has expressed strong opposition, with spokesperson Paolo Ganino stating that the Commission's portrayal of the platform is "categorically false and entirely meritless." TikTok plans to challenge the findings vigorously. Meanwhile, Meta has been defending itself in a California case that alleges it knowingly designed addictive features that harm users. The outcome of these investigations and the subsequent negotiations between the platforms and the Commission will likely vary based on the unique risk profiles of each platform.

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The changes mandated by the Commission could range from altering default settings to outright prohibiting specific design features. Peter Chapman, a governance researcher, noted that while multiple platforms may employ similar design features, the risks they pose can differ significantly. As TikTok navigates this regulatory landscape, it may take time to implement changes that satisfy the Commission's requirements. The process could involve multiple attempts to align with regulatory expectations, as seen in previous cases where the Commission took over a year to resolve compliance issues with other platforms.

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Critics of the Commission's approach argue that the vague definitions of risks in the DSA may complicate enforcement and compliance. Jan Penfrat from the civil rights group EDRi emphasized that it would be unusual for the Commission not to use its findings as a template for addressing similar issues with other companies. The ongoing investigations into TikTok and Meta highlight the growing concern over the impact of social media design on mental health, particularly among younger users.

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• “The findings mark a turning point [because] the Commission is treating addictive design on social media as an enforceable risk” — Lena-Maria Böswald, Senior Policy Researcher, Interface

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• “present a categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform and we will take whatever steps are necessary to challenge these findings through every means available to us.” — Paolo Ganino, TikTok Spokesperson

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• “It could be anything from changing default settings, to outright prohibiting a specific design feature, or requiring more user control,” — Peter Chapman, Associate Director, Knight-Georgetown Institute

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