The European Commission has preliminarily concluded that TikTok’s For You recommendation system may steer users into repeated streams of content linked to mental health concerns, potentially breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA). If the finding is upheld, TikTok could face a fine of up to 6% of its annual worldwide turnover.
The Commission says minors and vulnerable adults may be particularly affected by so-called “rabbit hole” effects, in which interaction with one type of video leads to increasingly similar recommendations. Content concerning sadness, isolation, weight loss or body dissatisfaction can become repeatedly amplified, it said.
According to the preliminary findings published on November 6, viewing time can be treated as a sign of interest even when the material may worsen anxiety or an existing condition. The Commission also argues that selecting TikTok’s “Not interested” option does not sufficiently reshape recommendations when watch time carries greater weight than a user’s direct preference.
- Remove watch time from the signals used for recommendations.
- Make feed controls easier for users to access.
- Regularly test the recommendation system for these risks.
TikTok disputes the accusations, saying the Commission has mischaracterized both the platform’s architecture and its safety measures. The company says it provides direct, intuitive controls over recommended content and can review the investigation file before submitting a written response ahead of a final decision.
The findings are part of a DSA investigation opened in 2024. The Commission previously issued preliminary conclusions on potentially addictive mechanisms in February 2026 and examined protections for minors in July. The latest stage turns attention to whether users have meaningful control over a feed designed to reinforce viewing behavior.
