TikTok has rejected the European Commission’s allegations that the platform’s personalised “For You” feed, in its current form, breaches the Digital Services Act. On 6 November 2026, the Brussels authority made a preliminary finding that repeated recommendations could foster a “rabbit hole” effect that poses a risk to users’ mental health. This assessment is part of an ongoing procedure under the Digital Services Act and is not a final decision.
A TikTok spokesperson said the Commission was presenting a distorted picture of the platform’s architecture and its commitment to safety. The company points to existing safeguards such as content filters, screen-time reminders and options to limit personalised recommendations. According to TikTok, millions of people in the European Union use these features. The Commission, by contrast, emphasises the risk of continued exposure to sensitive content, such as material relating to sadness, isolation or body image issues, which could be exacerbated by the current logic of the recommendation design.
In legal terms, these are preliminary findings. TikTok can submit written comments and offer remedial measures. If concerns remain, the company could face requirements or penalties under the Digital Services Act, including Fines fines of up to six per cent of its annual worldwide turnover. In similar proceedings, the Commission has already pressed other major platforms to change their algorithmic systems and improve transparency.
For Germany the proceedings are directly relevant: TikTok is one of the most widely used social networks here, particularly among young people. A mandatory change to the recommendation design would not only alter the user experience but also affect the supervisory practices of authorities at federal and state level. The political debate centres on protecting minors, tackling design features that could encourage addictive behaviour, and making algorithmic decisions easier to understand.
What happens next depends on TikTok’s written submissions and any possible agreement on remedial measures. The Commission makes clear that the assessment published now does not prejudge the final outcome. What is clear, however, is that the Digital Services Act is increasing pressure on major platforms to systematically reduce risks to mental health and make their recommendation systems more transparent.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).