EU Targets TikTok's 'Addictive Design' as Illegal Under Digital Services Act

The European Union has escalated its regulatory confrontation with social media platforms, issuing preliminary findings that TikTok's fundamental design elements constitute illegal practices under the Digital Services Act (DSA). According to official statements, regulators specifically targeted the platform's infinite scroll mechanism and recommendation algorithm, arguing these features create "compulsive" usage patterns that violate user autonomy protections.

Evidence cited by investigators demonstrates how TikTok's algorithmic delivery system creates what regulators term "behavioral addiction loops." The combination of endlessly scrolling content feeds and personalized recommendations triggers dopamine responses that bypass conscious decision-making, particularly affecting younger users whose developing brains are more susceptible to habitual formation. Internal TikTok documents previously obtained by regulators reportedly acknowledged these psychological effects while optimizing for increased engagement.

Counter-perspectives emerging from the tech industry suggest the ruling represents regulatory overreach. Some legal scholars argue the EU's interpretation could effectively criminalize foundational engagement mechanics used across the digital ecosystem. "This isn't just about TikTok," noted technology ethicist Renée DiResta. "If infinite scroll becomes illegal, you're looking at redesigning the basic architecture of social media." Industry representatives contend that users voluntarily choose these services and that parental controls already offer mitigation tools.

TikTok now faces a critical response period before final determinations. Potential outcomes include mandated design changes, such as implementing automatic session timeouts, default chronological feeds for minors, and prominent disengagement prompts. Failure to comply could trigger fines up to 6% of global revenue under the DSA's enforcement framework. The ruling coincides with growing scrutiny of recommendation algorithms globally, with similar investigations underway against Meta and YouTube.

This regulatory action signals a fundamental shift from content moderation to interface governance. By targeting the underlying mechanics of attention capture rather than specific harmful content, the EU establishes precedent that could force platform-wide redesigns. As Stanford Law professor Nate Persily observed: "We're moving beyond regulating what you see to regulating how you see it." The decision may accelerate development of "humane design" alternatives prioritizing user control over engagement optimization.

The preliminary findings specifically reference TikTok's violation of DSA Article 25, which prohibits "designing, organizing or operating an online interface in a way that deceives or manipulates users." Enforcement could establish critical case law interpreting how digital environments may legally influence user behavior. With TikTok required to submit a formal response within weeks, this confrontation will likely reshape interaction design principles across the industry.