EU Accuses TikTok Algorithm of Breaching Content Rules

The European Commission accused TikTok on Nov. 6, 2026, of breaching the Digital Services Act over the potentially harmful effects of the recommendation system used on the For You page. The bloc said the design can be harmful when endless and repeated exposure involves content about sadness, isolation or body image, and that 'rabbit holes' can harm users' mental health, especially vulnerable adults and minors. TikTok disputes the claims.

Findings and requested changes

In preliminary findings, the Commission said TikTok did not do enough to assess how the algorithm could draw users into 'rabbit holes' and put wellbeing at risk. It said the personalized nature of the algorithm means the more a user interacts with a certain kind of content, the more they see similar videos. The regulator also said the company did not put sufficient measures in place to mitigate those risks, noting that tapping 'not interested' on a video may not be enough to change the content feed. It said TikTok should change the design of the For You page, rely more on users' explicit preferences, disable viewing time as an indicator for recommending content, increase the accessibility and usability of user controls, and regularly test its algorithm.

Possible fine and company response

If TikTok does not sufficiently resolve the matter and the EU confirms the findings, parent company ByteDance could face a fine of up to six percent of its annual global revenue. TikTok said the Commission's statements are fundamentally inaccurate and distort the platform's architecture and its commitment to user safety. The company said it has a strong record of protecting its community while giving users direct and intuitive control over their content experience.

Broader scrutiny

The preliminary findings are part of a larger EU investigation into TikTok that began in early 2024. In February, the bloc said TikTok breached the Digital Services Act because of the app's 'addictive design.' Officials also took TikTok to task in July, claiming it failed to protect the privacy of minors' accounts. Regulators around the world have placed social media companies under closer scrutiny, particularly over the impact their platforms have on children. This week, Google, Meta and TikTok sued California over a law that bans social media companies from allowing users under 16 to access potentially 'addictive features.'

Sources: Engadget