EU: TikTok pushes harmful videos down a ‘rabbit hole’
The European Commission provisionally finds that the recommendation feed gives users insufficient control over recurring harmful content.
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According to preliminary findings by the European Commission, TikTok is breaching European digital rules with a recommendation system that serves users increasingly similar videos. The Commission says this can lead to a so-called rabbit hole containing, among other things, content about weight loss and mental health problems.
The preliminary findings concern TikTok’s so-called For You feed. According to the European Commission, users are shown increasingly similar content based on videos they have previously watched or liked, even when that content may harm their wellbeing or body image. The Commission says TikTok has not sufficiently assessed how the system can reinforce such risks.
The regulator wants users to have more control over the feed. The Commission cites, among other things, greater weight for users’ explicit preferences, less reliance on viewing time as a recommendation signal and more easily accessible settings. TikTok already has a button allowing users to indicate that they are not interested in something, but according to the Commission, that measure does not sufficiently reduce the frequency with which harmful content is recommended.
This is not yet a final decision. TikTok will have the opportunity to respond to the preliminary findings before the Commission completes its investigation. If the Commission ultimately establishes an infringement, the fine under the Digital Services Act could amount to up to 6 per cent of the company’s worldwide annual turnover.
The case concerns how the system operates, not one individual video or one specific user. The European Commission is examining whether TikTok has sufficiently mitigated risks to users’ wellbeing. According to the European Commission, the earlier procedure against TikTok also covered design choices such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, notifications and personalised recommendations.
According to AP, TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. That does not mean the allegations have already been legally established. The procedure could still result in changes to the service, a fine or another outcome. For Dutch users, the main relevance is that European rules apply directly to the large platforms operating in the EU and that recommendation systems have consequently become a subject of regulatory oversight.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The European Commission has published preliminary findings about TikTok’s recommendation feed.
- The Commission says the feed can lead users towards increasingly similar, potentially harmful content.
- TikTok can respond and no final decision has yet been taken.
Left
Arguments Platforms must take responsibility for the social effects of their design; profit incentives must not outweigh the protection of children and vulnerable users.
Values Public health, the protection of minors and limiting the power of large technology companies.
Consequences Stricter rules could reduce harmful patterns, but could also lead to more moderation and debate about the limits of government intervention.
Centre
Arguments The EU must address demonstrable systemic risks through transparent procedures, the right to be heard and proportionate measures. Not every harmful experience warrants the same intervention.
Values The rule of law, evidence, consumer protection and innovation.
Consequences A technically focused adjustment could give users more control without banning the service altogether, but oversight remains complex.
Right
Arguments Users and parents should primarily be able to make their own choices; the government should be cautious about prescribing algorithms and content filters.
Values Individual responsibility, freedom of choice and limited government power.
Consequences Less regulation could protect innovation and freedom of expression, but critics say it leaves users and families facing more risks.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core claims are based directly on current reporting by AP and the European Commission’s formal procedure. The article clearly distinguishes between preliminary findings and a final legal decision.
- confirmed The European Commission is provisionally accusing TikTok of breaching the digital rules. — AP describes the preliminary accusation; the Commission uses the same procedural status in its DSA documents. source
- confirmed TikTok recommends similar videos based on users’ previous viewing and clicking behaviour. — AP summarises the explanation given by European regulators on this point. source
- confirmed The possible fine could amount to up to 6 per cent of worldwide annual turnover. — The European Commission states this maximum in its formal document. source
- confirmed TikTok can still respond before a final decision is made. — The Commission describes the right of defence in the procedure. source
Editor's note
The current development concerns preliminary findings about the recommendation feed. The Commission has not yet established a definitive infringement; TikTok can respond.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „tiktok europese unie”
- FD — „tiktok europese unie”
- Trouw — „tiktok europese unie”