EU tells TikTok to fix ‘harmful’ For You feed, threatens fines

What the report says

The European Union has ordered TikTok to change how its “For You” feed works, saying the platform’s recommendation system may be exposing users to harmful content and could breach the bloc’s Digital Services Act. According to the European Commission, the algorithm can push people deeper into repetitive viewing patterns, including material linked to sadness, isolation or body-image concerns, with particular risks for minors and other vulnerable users. The announcement was made in Brussels on Friday and could lead to substantial penalties if TikTok does not address the concerns.

EU regulators said TikTok had taken some steps to reduce the risks, but that the measures were not sufficient. Henna Virkkunen, a European Commission executive vice president responsible for tech policy, said the company needs to do more to protect user well-being. TikTok rejected the findings, saying the EU had misunderstood how its platform works and that it already gives users control over what they see.

The commission’s move builds on earlier EU scrutiny of TikTok. In February, regulators raised concerns about addictive design features affecting users’ mental and physical well-being, and in July they said the app exposed children to risks such as cyberbullying and predatory behaviour. The case is part of a wider European crackdown on social media platforms, especially where children’s safety and mental health are concerned.