The EU is fed up with TikTok. A huge fine is coming
But what should TikTok be punished for? Simply put… for being TikTok. That is, for being a hellishly addictive website offering short videos that automatically scroll and all content automatically plays. Push notifications and high personalization of the displayed content are also a problem. All this makes TikTok so addictive, and according to the EC, it violates the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).
The European Commission threatens TikTok with a penalty
Everything described above sounds like a recipe for success for a video site, not something illegal. The problem is that it has serious consequences for users. According to the preliminary findings of the European Commission, TikTok did not adequately assess the negative impact of the mechanisms it uses.
According to the EC, when using TikTok, users engage in mindless scrolling and viewing of content, constantly stimulating the reward center. Which can lead to decreased self-control and compulsive behavior in all users. However, it is the youngest who are most susceptible to this destructive mechanism. Moreover, the EC accuses TikTok of not treating how much time a day children and teenagers use the website as a warning.
For this reason, TikTok faces a fine of 6% of its annual revenue. To avoid it, the website would have to change its operation within the European Union so as to no longer use addictive mechanisms.
It is worth emphasizing that the EC does not assume any bad will on TikTok, but only that the company did not sufficiently verify the negative effects of its mechanisms.
Update:
TikTok sent the following statement to the Telepolis.pl editorial office on this matter:
The preliminary findings of the European Commission present a categorically incorrect and unfounded picture of our platform. We will take all steps reasonably necessary to challenge these findings using all remedies available to us.
