EU charges TikTok with failing to protect users’ mental health

The European Commission has issued a preliminary ruling that TikTok failed to protect users’ mental health from repetitive content recommended by its algorithm. The finding matters because it challenges the engagement-focused design of TikTok’s For You feed and could require changes to how content is recommended.

The investigation found that safeguards such as the “not interested” button and refreshing the feed did not reliably stop users seeing similar material about topics such as body image and isolation. The Commission’s case concerns legal videos whose cumulative effect may worsen anxiety or eating disorders, particularly for young and vulnerable people; TikTok has 189 million EU users. TikTok can review the evidence and defend itself, and could avoid a fine by changing its system; if the finding is upheld, the fine could reach 6% of its global turnover.