The European Union has warned TikTok to overhaul its platform design or face severe fines. The European Commission said the video app violated EU online safety laws. Officials reached this view after an investigation launched in February 2024. Regulators analysed how TikTok’s features influence user behaviour.
The Commission said TikTok failed to properly assess risks to mental health. Investigators focused on autoplay and continuous content recommendations. They said these features can harm users, especially children. Regulators also said TikTok failed to reduce the identified risks.
TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm described the assessment as inaccurate and unjustified. TikTok said it will challenge the conclusions through formal channels.
Commission Signals Potential Fines in the Billions
TikTok has now been invited to respond to the preliminary findings. The Commission will evaluate the response before reaching a final decision. If violations are confirmed, regulators can impose large penalties. The fine could reach six percent of TikTok’s global yearly revenue. Estimates place that figure in the tens of billions.
EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must redesign its European service. She said changes are required to avoid financial sanctions. Regulators expect meaningful design changes rather than limited adjustments.
Design Features Come Under Direct Scrutiny
The Commission proposed several actions TikTok could take. Officials suggested adding screen time breaks during night-time use. They also called for changes to recommendation algorithms. These systems currently push constant personalised content.
Regulators also urged TikTok to disable infinite scroll. This feature allows users to move endlessly through videos. Officials believe it encourages excessive use and weakens user control.
Virkkunen said the Digital Services Act holds platforms accountable for their impact. She said European authorities actively enforce these rules. She stressed the goal is to protect citizens and children online.
Experts Say User Protection Still Falls Short
Professor Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics said TikTok’s safety tools remain insufficient. She acknowledged recent steps taken by the platform. However, she said they fail to meet EU expectations. Livingstone said young users want stronger protections. She added many feel wellbeing comes second to profit.
Social media analyst Matt Navarra said the term addictive often gets misused. However, he said the Commission relied on behavioural science. Navarra described the findings as a major regulatory turning point.
He said regulators now focus on platform architecture itself. He added the debate has moved beyond harmful content. According to Navarra, harmful design now drives regulatory action.
Regulators Send a Message to Big Tech
The TikTok case follows earlier EU action against technology firms. In December 2024, regulators opened another investigation into TikTok. That probe examined alleged foreign interference in Romania’s presidential election.
The EU also launched an inquiry into Elon Musk’s X in January. Officials raised concerns about AI-generated sexualised images. Regulators examined the use of the platform’s Grok tool.
In December 2025, the EU fined X €120m. Authorities said its blue tick system misled users. Regulators concluded the platform failed to properly verify account owners.
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore called the TikTok case a warning shot. He said it marks a reality check for social media firms. Pescatore said the market is moving away from pure engagement. He added regulators now enforce responsibility by design.
