TikTok could be forced to change app's 'addictive design' by European Commission

European Commission Cracks Down on TikTok Over 'Addictive Design'

The European Commission has issued a preliminary ruling that TikTok has breached its Digital Services Act by incorporating an "addictive design" into its app. This move could force the Chinese-owned social media giant to alter its platform's layout in order to reduce its addictive nature.

According to the commission, TikTok failed to adequately assess how its algorithm might harm users' physical and mental wellbeing. By presenting a constant stream of new content, the app encourages users to continuously scroll through their feeds, entering "autopilot mode" that can lead to compulsive behavior and reduced self-control.

Critics argue that TikTok's powerful algorithm pushes content to users based on their past engagement, creating an environment where users become trapped in an endless loop. The commission also points out the app's inadequate screen time management features and parental control tools as a significant risk factor.

The proposed changes would include disabling "infinite scroll" over time, implementing regular screen time breaks during nighttime hours, and modifying the recommender system to reduce the push of addictive content. If implemented, these changes could help mitigate the risks created by TikTok's design.

The commission stated that its preliminary views do not foreclose on the outcome of the investigation and that TikTok will have an opportunity to challenge its findings. The company has responded by stating that it rejects the commission's allegations, calling them "categorically false" and "meritless".

TikTok's addictive design has been a subject of concern in recent years. In 2022, Elon Musk's X was fined €120m for breaching the Digital Services Act with its own "addictive design". This move sets an important precedent for regulating social media platforms' impact on users.

The European Commission's decision highlights the growing scrutiny surrounding the digital services of major tech companies. As online safety campaigners continue to push for action, it remains to be seen whether TikTok will successfully challenge the commission's findings and alter its addictive design.

Ugh, back in my day... we didn't need all these fancy rules about social media addiction . I mean, wasn't just using an app supposed to be optional? Now everyone's walking around with their faces buried in screens, and it's like they're zombies or something . I know TikTok can be addictive, but what's the big deal? It's just a fun way to pass the time... I remember when we used to play Pac-Man at the arcade until our eyes hurt . Anyway, gotta give props to the European Commission for trying to do something about it . But let's hope TikTok can make some changes without sucking the life out of their users (pun intended) .

"The whole is more than the sum of its parts." The European Commission's decision on TikTok is a reminder that tech companies have a responsibility to prioritize user well-being over profits. If they can't, who will?

I'm not surprised . Like, what did they expect? A social media app that's designed to keep you hooked is gonna have some kinda addictive design. It's like, TikTok's whole thing is based on keeping you entertained for hours on end. They're basically creating a dopamine hit factory . And now the EU is trying to regulate it? Like, good luck with that . I mean, how hard can it be to just make an app that doesn't suck you in? It's not like they don't know what makes us tick (pun intended). This whole thing feels like a PR stunt to me .

This ruling is like a canary in a coal mine - if Europe is cracking down on TikTok over its addictive design, what does that say about our own social media giants here in the US? We need to be questioning why Facebook and Instagram are still raking it in without making similar changes. I mean, Elon Musk gets fined €120m for similar issues with X, but we're still allowing these platforms to operate under a different set of rules . The Digital Services Act is a great start, but we need more regulation around online safety and user data protection . It's time for us to take a closer look at our own social media landscape and make some changes before it's too late

OMG u guys Tiktok is literally the most addictive app ever i mean i get it they want us to keep coming back but c'mon they can't even control their own algorithm lol what if we were kids or something? idk how else to explain why i'm scrolling thru vids at 3am lol and now the EU is like "hey hold up" guess that's one less thing for me to worry about when my parents ask me to put down my phone

idk why they're making such a big deal about tiktoks design i mean, i've used the app loads and never felt like im addicted lol but im still kinda curious - what does it do to ur brain when u scroll through endless vids? maybe its not as bad as everyone says but at the same time, if they're gonna crack down on it then maybe tiktok should rethink their design tho? also i wonder how much of this has to do with the fact that elon musk owns x now anyway, i guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens next

I feel bad for TikTok They're just trying to make a living and connect with their users, but I guess they didn't think through how their algorithm would affect people's well-being. It's like, we all know that endless scrolling can be pretty addictive , so maybe they should've been more careful about it.

I don't think the European Commission is being too harsh, though . They're just trying to protect their users from potential harm. And honestly, if Elon Musk's X can get fined for similar issues in 2022 , then I think TikTok should definitely make some changes to its design.

It's all about finding a balance between free speech and user safety, you know? We need platforms like TikTok that allow us to express ourselves, but also have measures in place to prevent us from getting too caught up in the vortex of endless scrolling . So, I'm rooting for TikTok to make some changes and work with the commission to find a solution .

I'm low-key relieved that the EU is taking steps to crack down on social media platforms that are literally designed to suck your eyeballs dry . I mean, who hasn't mindlessly scrolled through their feeds for hours on end, only to realize they've wasted an entire day? It's like TikTok is trying to be a digital addiction factory or something! And don't even get me started on the impact it has on our mental health. I'm all for freedom of speech and all that jazz, but come on, guys! Let's make sure we're not compromising our wellbeing in the process .

The fact that Elon Musk's X got fined €120m for similar issues is definitely a wake-up call . It's about time major tech companies started taking responsibility for their impact on users. I'm curious to see how TikTok will respond to this preliminary ruling, but fingers crossed they'll make some serious changes . Maybe it's time we rethink the way social media platforms are designed and prioritize our health over engagement numbers .

I'm worried about how addicted we're getting to our screens . I mean, think about it, TikTok's algorithm is like a big ol' rollercoaster ride, pushing you from one video to the next until you can't even stop yourself . It's not just TikTok though, it's all social media platforms - Instagram, Facebook, Twitter... they're all designed to keep us hooked . We need to be more mindful of our screen time and take breaks when we need them . The European Commission is taking a step in the right direction by cracking down on TikTok's addictive design . Let's hope it inspires other companies to do the same and create a healthier online environment .

I'm surprised the Europeans are finally catching up on this one... I mean, come on, anyone with two eyes can see that those "infinite scroll" feeds are designed to be endlessly engaging. It's not like TikTok didn't know how their algorithm was affecting people - they're a billion-dollar company, after all! Anyway, it's good that the European Commission is taking action, even if it is a bit belated. Those changes could really make a difference in promoting healthier screen time habits. Maybe we'll finally see some real change here and not just a bunch of lip service from tech companies .

I'm low-key concerned about the impact this ruling could have on smaller social media apps . If big players like TikTok have to make major changes, won't that just make their competitors even more appealing? It's all about finding a balance between keeping users engaged and protecting our mental health, right?

i mean, can u imagine how many ppl r just stuck on tiktok all day? i think its kinda crazy that they can make us so addicted with their algorithm... like we need some help or somethin. but for real tho, the european commission is onto something here. 120m euros is no joke for a fining. maybe now tiktok will chill on that "infinite scroll" thing and give us a break

I'm a bit concerned about this one... I mean, who doesn't love scrolling through their FYP ? But seriously, I think it's great that the European Commission is taking steps to protect users' wellbeing. 10/10 for prioritizing mental health over algorithmic wins . I'd love to see TikTok implement some of these changes, especially those screen time breaks during nighttime hours... my own productivity suffers when I'm scrolling too late at night . Let's hope they take this seriously and make some real changes!

I dont think we should jump to conclusions just yet . I mean, I use tiktok all the time and I feel fine . The guy who owns it is like a genius or something . If he changes his algorithm, wont people just find another way to game the system? . And what about free speech? Should we be censored just because some random person says their phone is addictive? I think its a bit harsh on tiktok. Its just a social media platform, not a pharmaceutical company .

omg u guys i cant even believe what's happening with tiktok!!! they're literally forcing them to make changes bc of how addictive their app is like what even is an "addictive design" tho? it sounds so obvious now that the eu is all over it. i feel bad for all the users who got sucked into those endless scroll loops but at least this means tiktok has to step up its game and make things better . its kinda cool that they're making changes to reduce screen time and promote healthier habits tho. hope it makes a difference

OMG u guys TikTok gotta change their game ASAP!! I mean who wants to waste all day scrolling thru vids like a zombie? I know right?! They need 2 disable that infinite scroll feature & implement some actual screen time management . It's not cool that they're taking advantage of ppl's addictions . And what's up w/ the parental control tools? shouldn't be that hard to make! I'm low-key hyped 2 see if TikTok takes these changes seriously tho

I'm like totally confused about this... if a company is found guilty of making something "addictive" on purpose, isn't that kinda like praising it? Like, they're basically saying "hey, our algorithm is so good at hooking people, we got in trouble for it!" I need some more info on how this works and what the actual problems are with TikTok's design. Is it really just about making money off of user time or is there something else going on?

I mean, have you noticed how obsessed we get with those TikTok videos? They just keep showing us more and more stuff until we can't stop scrolling... It's like our brains are wired to be addicted or something! The European Commission is trying to crack down on this because it's bad for us, apparently. They want TikTok to make changes so we don't get sucked into a never-ending loop of videos and forget about everything else... I think that's kinda smart, actually. We need to be careful about how much time we spend on our screens! [Click here](https://www.euronext.com/en/press-release/EU-Commission-releases-preliminary-view-TikTok-DSAct-breaching-algorithm-design.html)

omg like tiktok is literally so hard to use i mean i get it they want to keep us engaged but come on we're humans not robots lol anyway this whole thing with the european commission is pretty cool in a way like i never thought about how algorithms could be so manipulative and the part about screen time management is super relevant especially now that everyone's always glued to their screens at night