Photo: EuronewsPhoto: EuronewsEuropean Union
EU preliminarily finds TikTok in breach of Digital Services Act over feed design
The Commission's preliminary finding on TikTok's recommender system could lead to fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue, a first for engagement-based feeds under the act.
What happened
The European Commission has preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act for the so-called rabbit hole effect of its recommender system. European Commission+1 The Commission says TikTok's For You feed shows users a continuous stream of personalized videos, even when those relate to mental health struggles and body image. European Commission+1 The Commission says the company did not adequately consider the risk of sending users down these rabbit holes. Politico Europe The investigation focused on mental health impacts because the evidence was strongest. Politico Europe
Around it
Under the Digital Services Act, the Commission can issue fines of up to 6% of a company's annual global revenue. Politico Europe A Commission official said this is the first time the Commission has tackled the engagement-based recommender system model head-on. Politico Europe This is the fifth case in which the Commission has accused TikTok of breaching EU rules, though it has issued no fines against the platform. Politico Europe
Sources
- European CommissionDaily News 06 / 11 / 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Politico EuropeEU accuses TikTok of designing algorithm that creates ‘rabbit holes’ (opens in a new tab)
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- Photo: Euronews
Photo: Politico Europe
Photo: Politico Europe