TikTok faces a fresh challenge from Brussels over the way its For You feed repeatedly recommends videos. The European Commission's preliminary findings on 6 November say the platform has failed to sufficiently assess and reduce risks from recommendation loops that can harm mental health and body image.
The concern is not simply whether an individual video breaks the rules. It is also what happens when a personalised feed repeatedly directs someone towards similar material about sadness, isolation, weight loss or related struggles, particularly when the user is a minor or a vulnerable adult.
The Commission considers existing safeguards insufficient. A person can indicate that they are not interested in a topic, yet viewing behaviour can continue to influence the next recommendations. The investigation puts the design of the recommendation system itself at the centre of the dispute.
More control over the feed
The proposed changes include giving greater weight to explicitly stated preferences and providing more accessible controls. The Commission also points to changes in the use of watch time and regular testing of how recommendations affect users.
TikTok disputes the assessment. It says the findings misrepresent its platform architecture and its approach to safety, and defends the controls it gives users. That response is part of a process in which the company can challenge the evidence and submit a written defence.
These are preliminary findings under the Digital Services Act, not a final infringement decision. The Commission will also consult the European Board for Digital Services before reaching a conclusion.
A confirmed breach could expose the company to a fine of up to 6% of worldwide annual turnover. That is a statutory maximum, not a penalty already imposed. The immediate stakes are whether TikTok must change how the feed selects and repeats content, rather than simply remove particular posts.
