European Commission accuses TikTok of creating addiction in users
Brussels criticises TikTok for dependency mechanisms and insufficient protection of minors, in line with the new European digital rules
From our correspondent Beda Romano
BRUSSELS - At a time when some European countries have decided to tighten the screws and prohibit the use of social networks by younger people, the European Commission announced today, Friday 6 February, that the Chinese company TikTok has violated the rules of the Digital Services Act by choosing mechanisms and particularities that are addictive for users, especially younger ones. The decision confirms that the EU has raised its sights against large digital groups.
"Addiction to social networks can have detrimental effects on the mental development of children and adolescents. The Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for the effects they can have on their users. In Europe, we enforce our legislation to protect our children and citizens online,' European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen explained in a statement, referring to the EU rules coming into full force in 2024.
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Brussels points the finger at some specific features of the Chinese app: endless scrolling of images or videos, automatic playback, notifications and its highly customised recommendation system. "The investigation preliminarily indicates that TikTok did not adequately assess how these addictive features could harm the physical and mental well-being of its users."
According to the European Commission, 'TikTok appears to fail to implement reasonable, proportionate and effective measures to mitigate the risks arising from an addictive app design'. Parental control, the EU executive notes, is complicated to introduce in the application. Similarly, time management mechanisms do not appear to be sufficiently effective, in the eyes of the European Commission.
The Chinese company will now be able to assess the results of the EU investigation and possibly exercise its rights of defence. Should Brussels' views be confirmed, the European Commission will be able to issue a non-compliance decision that may result in a sanction proportional to the nature, gravity, recurrence and duration of the infringement, which could amount to up to 6% of TikTok's annual worldwide turnover.
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