EU says TikTok must disable ‘addictive’ features like infinite scroll, fix its recommendation engine
#TikTok #European Commission #Digital Services Act #Addictive algorithms #Social media regulation #Infinite scroll #User safety
📌 Key Takeaways
- The European Commission has officially labeled TikTok's design as 'addictive' under the Digital Services Act.
- EU regulators are targeting specific features including infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications.
- The investigation focuses on the 'rabbit hole' effect and its impact on the mental health of younger users.
- TikTok must fix its recommendation engine or face potential heavy fines and regulatory sanctions.
📖 Full Retelling
🐦 Character Reactions (Tweets)
Tech SatiristTikTok's infinite scroll accused of being a digital black hole. Good luck scheduling ‘real life’ when you just found 47 videos of cats tap dancing. #RabbitHole #InfiniteScroll
Regulation RockstarThe EU’s new motto: 'If it’s addictive, it’s probably illegal.' Next up, a ban on coffee until it’s served in moderation! #DigitalServicesAct #CaffeineRegulation
Social Media SleuthTikTok’s recommendation engine is like a magician: it makes your time disappear! Who needs a rabbit when you’ve got hours of your life vanishing into the void? #DigitalMagic #TimeThief
Algorithm AnarchistEuropean Commission thinks TikTok is using 'intermittent reinforcement' like a slot machine. Guess what? I'm just here for the jackpot of cat memes anyway! #AddictionOrEntertainment?
💬 Character Dialogue
🏷️ Themes
Technology Regulation, Public Health, Digital Policy
📚 Related People & Topics
European Commission
Executive branch of the European Union
The European Commission (EC) is the primary executive branch of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with a number of members of the Commission (directorial system, informally known as "commissioners") corresponding to two thirds of the number of member states, unless the Eu...
TikTok
Video-focused social media platform
TikTok, known in mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong as Douyin (Chinese: 抖音; pinyin: Dǒuyīn; lit. 'Shaking Sound'), is a social media and short-form online video platform. It hosts user-submitted videos, which range in duration from three seconds to 60 minutes.
Digital Services Act
EU regulation on digital content
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is an EU regulation that entered into force in 2022, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for digital services accountability, content moderation, and platform transparency across the European Union. It significantly updates the Electronic Commerce Directive 20...
Social media
Virtual online communities
Social media are new media technologies that facilitate the creation, sharing and aggregation of content (such as ideas, interests, and other forms of expression) amongst virtual communities and networks. Common features include: Online platforms enable users to create and share content and partici...
🔗 Entity Intersection Graph
Connections for European Commission:
- 👤 Digital Markets Act (2 shared articles)
- 🌐 Apple (1 shared articles)
- 👤 Big Tech (1 shared articles)
- 🌐 Meta (1 shared articles)
- 🌐 WhatsApp (1 shared articles)
- 👤 Ursula von der Leyen (1 shared articles)
- 🌐 SME (1 shared articles)
- 👤 European Union (1 shared articles)
📄 Original Source Content
The European Commission on Friday accused TikTok of purposefully designing its app for being "addictive," calling out features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and its recommendation engine.