EU Demands Changes to TikTok’s “Addictive” Design

The European Commission issued preliminary findings on February 6, 2026, accusing TikTok of failing to adequately assess and mitigate risks from design features that promote compulsive use, particularly among minors and vulnerable adults. The investigation, part of ongoing enforcement under the Digital Services Act (DSA), targets elements such as infinite scroll, autoplay videos, push notifications, and the core recommendation algorithm.

The Commission stated that these features “constantly ‘reward’ users with new content,” shifting the brain into “autopilot mode” and potentially reducing self-control. It cited scientific research linking such designs to compulsive behavior. The regulator criticized TikTok for disregarding indicators of excessive use, including nighttime activity and frequent app opens, and argued that existing tools – like screen-time management and parental controls – lack sufficient friction or effectiveness, as they are easily dismissed or require significant parental effort.

The Commission called for fundamental changes, including disabling infinite scroll, introducing mandatory screen-time breaks, and modifying the recommendation system to reduce addictive patterns. TikTok rejected the allegations, responding: “The Commission’s preliminary findings present a categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform, and we will take whatever steps are necessary to challenge these findings through every means available to us.”

Whether or not these changes will be made – and how they could impact TikTok and its availability in the EU – remains to be seen. However, given that many other social platforms use similar features, the specific decisions that result from these demands could have a notable impact on many other apps and websites if similar changes are requested on a wider scale.