EU Imposes Huge Fine on TikTok for Addictive Design Tactics

TikTok Faces Fine for Breaching EU Digital Services Act

The European Commission announced today that TikTok is in violation of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) due to its addictive features, such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and personalized recommendation systems.

Initial investigations reveal that TikTok has neglected to assess the potential harm these features may have on the physical and mental well-being of users, especially minors and vulnerable adults.

The commission highlighted that TikTok’s design encourages users to constantly scroll, putting their brains on “autopilot mode” and potentially leading to compulsive behavior.

The commission also noted that TikTok has overlooked important signs of compulsive use, such as late-night app usage by minors and the frequency of user logins.

If confirmed, these violations could result in a fine of up to 6% of TikTok’s global annual turnover. The commission advised TikTok to make changes to its core service design, including implementing screen time breaks and disabling addictive features.

EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen emphasized the need to protect children and citizens online, stating, “Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens.”

While TikTok has some safeguards in place, such as parental controls and screen-time management tools, the commission believes these measures are insufficient.

In a separate incident, French prosecutors launched a criminal investigation against TikTok for failing to protect children’s mental health.

In 2025, the Irish Data Protection Commission fined TikTok €530 million for breaching GDPR data protection regulations by transferring user data from the European Economic Area to China.

Prior to that, TikTok received a €345 million fine from the Irish watchdog for violating children’s privacy through data processing and the use of “dark patterns.”

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