EU tells TikTok to fix ‘harmful’ For You feed, threatens fines
The European Union has ordered TikTok to change the algorithm powering its For You feed, threatening the social media platform with large fines.
The European Union has ordered TikTok to change the algorithm powering its For You feed, threatening the social media platform with large fines. On Friday, Brussels accused TikTok of violating the EU's Digital Services Act over the 'harmful 'rabbit holes' effect' by feeding users similar video clips based on what they've previously viewed or liked, even if they are 'triggering'.
'Every time a user scrolls or likes a video on TikTok, the algorithm serves more of the same, leading users down rabbit holes they cannot easily escape from,' European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen, who oversees tech sovereignty, said in a statement.
Today's preliminary findings show again that TikTok needs to step up its efforts to protect users' well-being, including those of minors.
Algorithm Concerns
The EU claims TikTok's algorithm results in the 'endless' exposure of users to 'content about sadness, isolation or body image.' The commission said that although TikTok had made some changes to mitigate the risks, the tweaks were not enough.
TikTok rejected the EU's findings, saying they are 'fundamentally inaccurate and distort our platform's architecture and our commitment to user safety.' The company has 'a strong record of protecting our community while giving users direct and intuitive control over their content experience,' a TikTok spokesperson stated.
Potential Penalties
Brussels' fines on the Chinese-owned platform could increase by up to 6 percent, according to regulators, unless the platform resolves the issue. The company will have a chance to respond before the commission issues its final decision.
Recent efforts in countries like France, Spain and England have focused on protecting minors on social media platforms from predatory behaviour, cyberbullying, deteriorating mental health and eating disorders. Several countries introduced social media bans for children below the age of 15.
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