By — Kelvin Chan, Associated Press Kelvin Chan, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/eu-accuses-tiktok-of-violating-its-digital-rules Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter EU accuses TikTok of violating its digital rules World Nov 6, 2026 1:07 PM EST LONDON (AP) — The European Union accused TikTok of breaching the bloc's digital rules because its algorithm recommends a nonstop stream of personalized videos to users including those that it says could hurt mental health and body image. The short-video sharing platform must change the design of its "For You" feed so that users have more control over opting out of seeing certain content, the 27-nation bloc's executive arm said Friday. The platform failed to assess how its recommendation systems could lead people into "rabbit holes" that threaten their well-being, regulators said, by feeding them similar video clips based on what they've previously viewed or liked even if they are "triggering" such as clips about weight loss and mental health struggles. TikTok said the European Commission's findings are "fundamentally inaccurate and distort our platform's architecture and…
EU accuses TikTok of violating its digital rules
In short
The European Union determined that the platform's algorithm delivers a nonstop stream of personalized videos that can harm mental health and body image. Regulators criticized existing features like the "not interested" button as ineffective and ordered a redesign of the "For You" feed to stop relying on viewing time as a recommendation metric. TikTok has forcefully rejected the findings, calling them fundamentally inaccurate while the long-running regulatory investigation continues.
Key points
- Regulators determined that the current algorithm dangerously traps people in rabbit holes…: Regulators determined that the current algorithm dangerously traps people in rabbit holes based on past views and likes.
- The company must make safety controls accessible and prioritize explicit user preferences…: The company must make safety controls accessible and prioritize explicit user preferences rather than passive watch time metrics.
- The enforcement move stems from an ongoing investigation launched over two years ago into…: The enforcement move stems from an ongoing investigation launched over two years ago into addictive design and children's privacy.