European Union regulators say TikTok may be in violation of the Digital Services Act due to the risk it poses for addictive and compulsive behavior. File Photo/EPA
Feb. 6 (UPI) — European Union regulators said Friday that TikTok may be in violation of the Digital Services Act due to the risk it poses for addictive and compulsive behavior.
The European Commission said in a preliminary ruling that TikTok features like infinite scroll, auto-play and the algorithm are part of an “addictive design.”
“TikTok needs to change the basic design of its service,” the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, said in a statement.
The app has more than 1 billion users worldwide, including 200 million across Europe. The commission argues that TikTok has ignored data that shows the app is being used compulsively. Users fall into a state of “autopilot” as the app rewards continuous use with new content.
The commission ruled the addictive nature of TikTok’s design poses risks to the mental health and physical well-being of children and vulnerable adults.
The preliminary ruling does not mean action will be required immediately. The commission said that it is not prejudging the outcome of its probe into t