EU calls on TikTok to change its For You feed

Technology · First reported 6 Nov, 12:13 · Updated 12:19

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

The European Commission says TikTok’s recommendation feed may breach EU digital rules by repeatedly serving similar content, and has urged design changes. TikTok disputes the Commission’s assessment.

The Commission issued preliminary findings that TikTok’s personalised For You feed may breach the Digital Services Act by repeatedly recommending similar videos.
The Commission said repeated exposure to content about sadness, isolation or body image could be harmful, especially for children and vulnerable users.
It urged TikTok to give more weight to user preferences, consider stopping the use of viewing time for recommendations, make controls easier to use and test the algorithm regularly.
TikTok rejected the findings, saying they misrepresent its platform and user-safety measures.
The Commission said TikTok’s existing steps were not effective enough; the platform could face large fines under EU digital rules if it fails to comply.

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Key facts

Regulator: European Commission
Rule at issue: Digital Services Act
Findings status: Preliminary
Commission’s recommended changes: Adjust recommendation signals and controls, consider not using viewing time to recommend videos, and regularly test the algorithm