TikTok's 'Addictive Design' Violates EU Law, Preliminary Probe Finds

BRUSSELS, Feb 6 (Bernama-dpa) -- The "addictive design" of social media platform TikTok breaches European Union law, according to preliminary findings by the European Commission, reported German Pess Agency (dpa).

"Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens," European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen said on Friday.

"In Europe, we enforce our legislation to protect our children and our citizens online," Virkkunen said.

The allegedly addictive design features include "infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and its highly personalised recommender system," the commission said.

According to the preliminary findings, TikTok has failed to "adequately assess how these addictive features could harm the physical and mental wellbeing of its users, including minors and vulnerable adults".

TikTok can now reply to the conclusions to exercise its right of defence, the commission said.

Should the allegations be confirmed by the commission, it may impose a fine of up tp 6 per cent of the total global annual turnover.

-- BERNAMA-dpa