EU charges TikTok over harmful algorithmic 'rabbit hole' effects

The European Commission has issued preliminary charges against TikTok, saying its recommendation system breaches EU online-content rules by repeatedly directing users towards similar material. Business Recorder reported on Friday that the regulator says TikTok did not take adequate steps to reduce risks, including repeated exposure to videos about sadness, isolation and body image.

The Commission wants TikTok to redesign its “For You” feed, give greater weight to users’ stated preferences, improve controls and test its system regularly. TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, could face a penalty of up to 6% of global annual turnover next year if the concerns are not resolved; the case forms part of a wider EU investigation, alongside separate scrutiny of Meta’s Facebook and Instagram recommendation systems.