TikTok has called the European Commission’s investigation ‘meritless’, vowing to challenge findings that the video platform harmed minors.
Published on February 7, 2026
Officials in the European Union said video-sharing platform TikTok was violating online content rules, warning the company to change “addictive” features to protect minors from forced use.
The European Commission shared the preliminary findings of an investigation into TikTok on Friday, noting that features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and personalized recommendation algorithms encourage addiction.
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“TikTok has to take action and change the design of their service in Europe to protect our minors,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters.
European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said “the measures taken by TikTok are not sufficient”.
“These features lead to compulsive use of the app, especially for our children, and pose a huge risk to their mental health and well-being,” Regnier said, adding that the app is in violation of the Digital Services Act.
The EU regulator has threatened TikTok with a potential fine of 6 percent of the global turnover of ByteDance, the platform’s owner.
TikTok condemned the findings, saying they were baseless.
“The commission’s preliminary findings present a patently false and wholly inaccurate portrayal of our platform, and we will take the necessary steps to challenge these findings,” a TikTok spokesperson said.
The inquiry comes as EU countries seek more restrictions on powerful tech and social media companies, often aimed at protecting young users.
TikTok stands out among competitors thanks to an algorithm that is able to accurately understand users’ interests, directing relevant content to their feeds.
An investigation into TikTok was first opened in February 2024, with Regnier citing a series of “appalling” statistics compiled during the investigation.
They said the app was the most used social media platform by 13- to 18-year-olds after midnight, and 7 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds spent four to five hours on the app every day.