EU demands that TikTok disable endless scrolling, threatens to fine

The European Commission said on Friday that the social network TikTok violates the European Digital Services Act due to features that cause addiction among users. About this reported on the Commission's website.

The regulator's claims include an endless feed, automatic video playback, push notifications, and a highly personalized recommendation system.

"Constantly 'rewarding' users with new content stimulates the desire to continuously scroll through the feed, putting the user's brain in 'autopilot' mode. Scientific studies show that this can lead to compulsive behavior and a decrease in self-control," the EC said in a statement.

The Commission also criticizes TikTok for ignoring important indicators of compulsive use of the app, including the time minors spend on the app at night and the frequency of its opening. According to the regulator, screen time and parental control tools are ineffective because they are easy to ignore and require additional skills for parents to set up.

According to the European Commission, TikTok should change the basic design of the service, in particular, gradually disable endless scrolling of the feed, introduce effective breaks in the use of the application, and adapt the recommendation system.

"Social media addiction can have a negative impact on the development of children and adolescents. The Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for the impact on their users," said Genna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice President for Technology Sovereignty.

TikTok has the opportunity to defend its position, but if the violations are confirmed, the company faces a fine of up to 6% of its total global annual turnover.

• In December 2025 The EU fines social network X for 120 million euros under the Digital Services Act by pseudo-verifying users with the help of "blue ticks," which caused an angry reaction from the highest US officials.