Regulatory case · Case file

European Commission v TikTok

The EU’s preliminary finding that TikTok’s addictive design breaches the Digital Services Act, and the earlier TikTok Lite rewards case.

Court: European Commission (enforcement of the Digital Services Act). Last checked 11 October 2026.

Status: Preliminary finding of 6 February 2026. No final decision found as at 11 October 2026.

In February 2026 the European Commission told TikTok that its core design features breach the Digital Services Act. It is a preliminary finding, not a final decision. This file also covers the earlier case in which TikTok withdrew a rewards programme from the EU. The same regulator has made similar findings against Meta.

Key facts

Regulator: European Commission, acting under the Digital Services Act (DSA)
Proceedings opened: 19 February 2024
Preliminary finding: 6 February 2026: addictive design in breach of the DSA
Features named: Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and the highly personalised recommender system
Maximum fine: Up to 6% of total worldwide annual turnover
TikTok’s position: It calls the findings “categorically false and entirely meritless” and says it will challenge them
Status: Preliminary. TikTok may reply and the Commission may then adopt a final decision

Timeline

19 February 2024The Commission opens formal proceedings against TikTok. The scope includes protection of minors, advertising transparency, researcher access to data, and the management of risks from addictive design and harmful content.
22 April 2024The Commission opens separate proceedings over TikTok Lite and its “Task and Reward” programme, which had launched in France and Spain that month. TikTok voluntarily suspended the programme on 24 April 2024.
5 August 2024The Commission accepts TikTok’s commitments and makes them legally binding, closing the TikTok Lite proceedings.
6 February 2026The Commission publishes its preliminary finding that TikTok’s addictive design breaches the DSA.

What the Commission found

The Commission said TikTok had not adequately assessed how its design harms the physical and mental wellbeing of its users, including minors and vulnerable adults. It said that constantly rewarding users with new content can push them into what it called “autopilot mode”.

It found that TikTok disregarded indicators of compulsive use, such as how much time minors spend on the app at night and how often they open it. It said TikTok’s current screen-time and parental controls do not seem effective.

The finding drew on TikTok’s own risk assessments, internal data and documents, its answers to the Commission’s information requests, scientific research and interviews with experts.

What the Commission wants changed

The Commission said TikTok needs to change the basic design of its service. It gave examples: disabling infinite scroll over time, introducing effective screen-time breaks including at night, and adapting its recommender system.

What TikTok says

TikTok called the findings a “categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform” and said it would “take whatever steps are necessary to challenge these findings through every means available to us” (reported by Al Jazeera, 7 February 2026). The finding is expressly preliminary and does not prejudge the outcome. TikTok has the right to see the Commission’s file and respond in writing.

The possible penalty

If the Commission adopts a final non-compliance decision it can fine TikTok up to 6% of its total worldwide annual turnover, depending on the nature, gravity, recurrence and duration of the breach, and can order changes. The Commission has not stated a figure in money, and we do not give one. For comparison, in its December 2025 decision against X, which carried a €120 million fine, about 17 months passed between the preliminary findings in July 2024 and the final decision.

The earlier TikTok Lite case

TikTok Lite was a lighter version of the app that rewarded users with points, redeemable for vouchers and gift cards, for watching videos, liking, following and inviting friends. It launched in France and Spain. The Commission opened proceedings on 22 April 2024, and TikTok voluntarily suspended the programme two days later.

On 5 August 2024 the Commission made TikTok’s commitments legally binding: TikTok agreed to withdraw the TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU permanently and not to launch any programme that would circumvent the withdrawal. Any breach of the commitments would immediately be a breach of the DSA. The commitment covered the rewards programme and not the whole app.

What happens next

TikTok can reply to the preliminary finding. The Commission may then adopt a final decision, close the case, or accept commitments. We found no later step as at 11 October 2026. Our updates page records developments as they happen.

What this means for UK families

The DSA is EU law and does not apply in the UK, where the Online Safety Act 2023 and Ofcom’s children’s codes of practice are the regulatory framework. A finding by the Commission does not bind a UK court.

Its value to UK families is as evidence of what an independent regulator concluded about the design of the app after examining TikTok’s own documents. TikTok’s UK users are contracted with a UK entity, covered on our case page, and the app’s features are the same. In the US, TikTok settled before trial in K.G.M. v Meta and Google, and the design features at issue are also part of New Mexico v Meta.

If your child or you used TikTok heavily, see our TikTok page or check your eligibility. You can also ask TikTok for the data it holds with our free data request tool. If you are a parent, see our guide for parents. If you are 18 or over and used the app as a child, see our guide for young people. Our FAQ covers cost and time limits. All our case files are listed together.

Sources

Last checked 11 October 2026. This file describes what the sources say. It is not legal advice, and a US result does not predict the outcome of a UK claim. It is checked against the sources above, and anything we could not confirm is left out or marked as unconfirmed.

Related case files

European Commission v Meta — Two preliminary findings against Instagram and Facebook in 2026: children under 13 and addictive design.
K.G.M. v Meta and Google — A Los Angeles jury found Instagram and YouTube negligent in the design of their platforms.

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