Explainer
How far can the EU push TikTok to change its recommendation algorithm?
AI-generated text and synthetic voice. How this text is made
Brussels has issued preliminary findings that TikTok's For You feed breaches EU rules. Regulators say the feed can pull users into spirals of sadness, isolation and body image content.
Brussels
The Commission says the Not interested button doesn't change the feed enough, and wants TikTok to stop ranking by watch time. Only 0.2% of users pick the non-personalised option.
0.2%
Brussels opened its first case in February 2024, then flagged addictive design in February 2026. No fine has followed.
- February 2024First DSA proceedings open
- February 2026Alert on addictive design
If confirmed, TikTok faces a fine of up to 6% of its annual worldwide turnover. The company can reply first, before any decision is taken.
6%
Watch the explainer
Synthetic voice (AI)
The story
EU says TikTok's For You feed harms mental health and could bring fine up to 6% of turnoverRead the article
Based on reports by
- Wirtschafts WocheSocial media: EU: TikTok endangers mental health
- ABC TU DIARIO EN ESPAÑOLThe EU threatens TikTok with significant fines if it does not modify its “harmful” algorithm
- RTBFTeen health: The EU tackles the toxic spiral of the TikTok algorithm
- Bloomberg BusinessEU Escalates TikTok Probe Over Algorithmic 'Rabbit Holes'
- TVP InfoTikTok under Brussels' magnifying glass. It's about the dangerous “rabbit hole”
- La RazónThe European Commission accuses TikTok of dragging users into loops of harmful content