EU finds TikTok ‘addictive’ in digital law probe, 6% fine looms for ByteDance

South China Morning Post Legal & JudicialNews ReportEN 1 min read 100% complete by Finbarr BerminghamFebruary 6, 2026 at 12:09 PM

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European Union says video app TikTok must change ‘addictive’ design

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The European Commission has preliminarily found TikTok's design to be "addictive" and in potential violation of EU digital laws. The investigation focuses on features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and personalized recommendations, alleging they contribute to compulsive behavior and harm users' well-being, especially minors. The EU is urging TikTok to modify its design, potentially disabling some addictive features. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has the opportunity to respond to the findings. If found in violation, the company could face a fine of up to 6% of its global revenue. The Commission argues TikTok failed to adequately assess the potential harm of these features on users' mental and physical health.

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Legal & Judicial

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Public Health

Secondary framing

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Sensationalism

Factual

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

The company could face a fine of up to 6 per cent of its global revenue.

factual — null100% confidence

TikTok’s “addictive design” has been found to violate EU digital laws.

factual — European Commission90% confidence

Scientific research links TikTok's design to compulsive behaviour and loss of self-control.

factual — European Commission80% confidence

TikTok did not adequately assess how addictive features could harm users.

factual — European Union’s executive arm80% confidence

TikTok fuels the urge to keep scrolling and shifts the brain of users into ‘autopilot mode’.

factual — European Commission70% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 30% China 50% ByteDance ×275% European Commission ×380% European Union ×285% TikTok ×795%

Keywords

tiktok 100% addictive design 90% eu digital laws 80% fine 70% european commission 70% mental well-being 60% bytedance 60% autoplay 50% infinite scroll 50% push notifications 40%