EU accuses TikTok of designing algorithms that create rabbit holes

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 6 Nov, 12:01 · Archive

The European Commission has accused TikTok of breaching its Digital Services Act by designing algorithms that lead users down so-called rabbit holes. The preliminary findings, announced Friday, mark the first time the Commission has focused on a social media platform's recommender systems under the Act, which can impose fines up to 6 per cent of a company's annual global revenue.

The Commission said TikTok's system delivers a continuous stream of personalised videos that can expose users to potentially harmful content related to mental health struggles and body image. The company's engagement-based model means the more users interact with content, the more similar content they are recommended, even if it is harmful. The Commission stated that measures TikTok has put in place to curb this effect have not been effective. This is the fifth case brought against the Chinese-owned platform by the EU executive, though no fines have yet been issued.

How it is being reported

• TikTok’s For You page needs to change, says the EUThe European Commission claims TikTok broke its online platform rules by offering a recommendation algorithm that creates a "rabbit hole effect" on users. In an announcement on Friday, the regulators allege TikTok's algorithm can harm users with "endless and repeated exposure" to content related to sadness, isolation, or body image. The findings come months after […]The Verge · 6 Nov, 14:00
• EU charges TikTok with failing to protect users’ mental healthRegulator’s initial ruling says algorithm ‘can be harmful’ and led young and vulnerable viewers ‘down rabbit holes they can’t easily escape’ Business live – latest updates TikTok has been charged by the European Commission with failing to protect users’ mental health by exposing them to a relentless stream of content that risks worsening eating disorders and anxiety in a case that strikes at its business model. Issuing a preliminary ruling on Friday, the EU regulator said TikTok’s algorithm “can be harmful” and was leading young and vulnerable users “down rabbit holes they cannot easily…Guardian World · 6 Nov, 13:49
• EU accuses TikTok of designing algorithm that creates ‘rabbit holes’The preliminary findings mark the first time the Commission has focused on a social media platform's recommender systems as a breach of its powerful Digital Services Act.Politico Europe · 6 Nov, 10:59

In this story: European Commission · TikTok

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