TikTok breaches DSA regulations!
DSA
Brussels, Nov 6 (EFE).-
The European Commission on Friday preliminarily concluded that TikTok breaches the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by using an algorithm that can trap users in harmful content loops, potentially affecting their mental health, and called on the platform to redesign its recommendation system.
“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,” said Henna Virkkunen, the commission’s executive vice-president.
“The Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for addressing the negative effects related to their recommender system.”
At this stage of the investigation, the commission considers that TikTok must change the design of its “For You” feed by giving greater weight to users’ explicit preferences rather than viewing time, making controls more accessible and regularly testing the algorithm, the EU executive said in a statement.
The preliminary findings add to those already reached in formal proceedings launched against the social network in February 2024, which focused on access to data for researchers, addictive design and the protection of minors.
If the commission confirms its findings after hearing the platform’s response, it could impose a fine of up to 6 percent of TikTok‘s annual worldwide turnover.
The “rabbit hole” effect
According to the commission, TikTok personalizes recommendations based on users’ interactions.
If someone repeatedly watches content related to weight loss or body image, for example, “the system interprets these interactions as positive signs of interest and recommends more of the same.”
This can have serious consequences for users’ well-being, including “sadness or anxiety,” “body dissatisfaction,” “lower self-esteem” and the “worsening of existing eating disorders and mental health conditions,” Brussels said.
The commission also considers the safeguards currently used by the platform to be ineffective.
Measures intended to diversify content, for instance, “do not sufficiently reduce the frequency” with which similar videos are recommended.
Furthermore, the available controls do not allow users to effectively manage the content they see.
The “Not interested” button, for example, “may not be enough to change the content feed,” while the algorithm continues to prioritize viewing time over users’ requests to see less content of a particular type.
“Today’s preliminary findings show again that TikTok needs to step up its efforts to protect users’ well-being, including those of minors,” Virkkunen added.
The findings are preliminary and do not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.
TikTok will now have the opportunity to exercise its right of defense, examine the case file and submit a written response, in consultation with the European Digital Services Board.
According to the commission, the investigation draws on the platform’s internal documents and data, scientific studies and interviews with experts.
It was conducted with the cooperation of Ireland’s regulator, as the country hosts the Chinese company’s EU headquarters. EFE
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