EU Tells TikTok To Reform 'Addictive' Design Or Face Heavy Fines
The European Union has given Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok an ultimatum: reform its "addictive" design or face hefty fines. The bloc's digital content regulator, the European Commission, said it had found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act due to features that fuel compulsive use among young people and children.
The probe, launched two years ago, found that TikTok did not take effective steps to address concerns over its design, including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and personalized recommender systems. The commission believes these features could harm users' physical and mental wellbeing, particularly minors and vulnerable adults.
To mitigate this risk, the EU wants TikTok to make changes such as limiting screen time breaks, especially at night, and adapting its algorithm to reduce the platform's addictive nature. The company will also have to improve its parental controls and ensure they are easy to use for parents.
If TikTok fails to comply with these demands, the European Commission can impose fines of up to 6% of the company's global turnover annually. The EU is keen to protect its citizens from the negative impacts of social media on their wellbeing, particularly among young users.
The commission has been working closely with TikTok during a separate probe into alleged foreign interference in the Romanian presidential elections. According to officials, the Chinese-owned platform had been "extremely cooperative" and was taking steps to address concerns. However, this latest development could put the company at odds with regulators if it does not reform its design.
The EU's move comes as several European countries are considering curbing access to social media for younger teenagers. This follows a growing concern over the impact of social media on children's wellbeing and mental health.
The European Union has given Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok an ultimatum: reform its "addictive" design or face hefty fines. The bloc's digital content regulator, the European Commission, said it had found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act due to features that fuel compulsive use among young people and children.
The probe, launched two years ago, found that TikTok did not take effective steps to address concerns over its design, including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and personalized recommender systems. The commission believes these features could harm users' physical and mental wellbeing, particularly minors and vulnerable adults.
To mitigate this risk, the EU wants TikTok to make changes such as limiting screen time breaks, especially at night, and adapting its algorithm to reduce the platform's addictive nature. The company will also have to improve its parental controls and ensure they are easy to use for parents.
If TikTok fails to comply with these demands, the European Commission can impose fines of up to 6% of the company's global turnover annually. The EU is keen to protect its citizens from the negative impacts of social media on their wellbeing, particularly among young users.
The commission has been working closely with TikTok during a separate probe into alleged foreign interference in the Romanian presidential elections. According to officials, the Chinese-owned platform had been "extremely cooperative" and was taking steps to address concerns. However, this latest development could put the company at odds with regulators if it does not reform its design.
The EU's move comes as several European countries are considering curbing access to social media for younger teenagers. This follows a growing concern over the impact of social media on children's wellbeing and mental health.
! I mean, who hasn't mindlessly scrolled through their For You page for hours? It's not exactly good for your mental health or productivity 
. As a parent, it's scary to think about what our kids are exposed to on these platforms. I'm just glad the EU is taking steps to regulate this stuff - it's time someone looked out for our young people! 
. I mean, who doesn't love scrolling through TikTok all day? But at the same time, I can see why they’re worried about it being addictive. My little sis can get so sucked into watching videos on that thing for hours and forgets to do her homework 
. So yeah, I think reforming the design is a good idea. Like, wouldn’t it be great if there was a timer or something that would limit how long you could use it? That way, people can enjoy TikTok without getting too caught up in it 
.
like, who wants 2 get fined for bein addicted 2 their phone lol 
the eu is just tryna protect its citizens from all the negative stuff on tiktok. it's all about balance, u know? 
it's concerning that their features, like infinite scroll and autoplay, can be so detrimental to users' wellbeing, especially minors 
. limiting screen time breaks and adapting algorithms to reduce addiction are reasonable demands 
rather than taking a more drastic approach 
. while 6% fines might not be enough to deter TikTok, it's better than nothing 
. and the fact that they're working closely with the company during other probes shows that they want to find a balance between regulation and cooperation 
. My little cousin has a TikTok account and she can spend hours on there. It's like, "Hey kiddo, time for bed!" 
. I think the EU is being super responsible by wanting to protect users, especially kids. They need to take care of their mental health. But at the same time, it's not fair if TikTok has to change everything just because some people are worried about it. Can't we just be careful and use our own judgment? 
. A 6% fine sounds like extortion to me, I mean who needs that kind of pressure? And what's with all these demands about reforming their design? It's just a social media platform, chill out 
. I'm not saying they shouldn't be held accountable for their users' wellbeing, but fines and ultimatums are not the answer 
.
The EU is like "hey TikTok, chill out with that addictive design or we're coming for you with fines 
, but come on, isn't that just a bit harsh? 
I mean, I love TikTok too, but at the same time, I know how easy it is to get sucked in for hours 
!
! Seriously though, 6% fines sound like a lot of cookie dough to me... I mean, euros 
! Guess you could say they're giving TikTok an ultimatum – either reform or face the music (and some hefty fines) 
TikTok's already made some major changes, and it seems like they're doing a good job. This whole ultimatum thing feels like overkill.
. As we continue to navigate the complexities of social media usage, it's essential that platforms prioritize user safety and responsible design practices 
.
. However, I'd love to see more transparency around the specific features being targeted for reform and how they'll be measured for effectiveness 
. It's about time we start thinking about the long-term effects of social media on our kids' well-being, instead of just letting them scroll mindlessly for hours 
. And who knows, maybe this will inspire other platforms to follow suit 
! It's always exciting to see change happening in the world of tech 
. Like, the EU is trying to protect its citizens from the dark side of social media, and I'm here for it 
. Anyways, I'm just excited that someone is finally taking action to address these concerns 
. we need stricter regulations, imo