Commission preliminary findings: TikTok addictive design under DSA (6 February 2026)

On 6 February 2026, the European Commission published preliminary findings that TikTok is in breach of the Digital Services Act regarding addictive design. Features named include infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and its highly personalised recommender system. The VLOP supervision timeline lists the same preliminary-findings date for TikTok.

Risk assessment and mitigation (preliminary)

The Commission preliminarily indicates TikTok did not adequately assess how these features could harm physical and mental wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. Current screentime and parental-control tools are described as insufficiently effective (easy to dismiss; limited friction; parental controls requiring additional time and skill). At this stage the Commission considers TikTok needs to change basic service design — for example disabling infinite scroll over time, implementing effective screen-time breaks including at night, and adapting the recommender.

These preliminary findings do not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

UA reading

If confirmed, product-design changes could alter session depth and inventory quality for game UA on TikTok. Until a final decision, treat this as an investigation overhang, not a live inventory blackout. Do not invent fill-rate or CPI impacts.

Download the preliminary-findings card.

Research checked 20 September 2026. Local draft; human editorial review pending.