EU says 'rabbit hole' video feeds on TikTok violate its digital rules
Associated Press · Kelvin Chan ·
The European Union has accused TikTok of breaching its digital rules. The EU says TikTok's algorithm recommends videos that could harm mental health and body image. The bloc's executive arm wants TikTok to change its “For You” feed design to give users more control. Regulators say TikTok's recommendation system leads users into “rabbit holes” of similar, potentially harmful content. TikTok hasn't responded yet. The company can respond before the European Commission issues a final decision, which could include a fine. This is part of the EU's enforcement under the Digital Services Act, which aims to clean up tech platforms.
LONDON (AP) — The European Union accused TikTok of breaching the bloc’s digital rules because its algorithm recommends users a nonstop stream of personalized videos including those that it says could hurt mental health and body image.
The short-video sharing platform must change the design of its “For You” feed so that users have more control over opting out of seeing certain content, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm said Friday.
The platform failed to assess how its recommendation systems could lead people into “rabbit holes” that threaten their wellbeing, regulators said, by feeding them similar video clips based on what they’ve previously viewed or liked even if it’s “triggering” such as clips about weight loss and mental health struggles.
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