EU criticises TikTok: the 'For You' feed may lead young people astray
Published
The European Commission considers that TikTok's popular 'For You' feed breaks EU rules for digital services. According to the Commission, the algorithm that controls the feed can show users more and more of the same type of content. This can cause young people to end up in a so-called rabbit hole, that is, they get stuck in a process where they see increasingly extreme or addictive videos.
The 'For You' feed is one of the most used features in the app. It shows videos that the algorithm thinks the user wants to see, based on what the person has watched before. The European Commission believes that TikTok has not done enough to protect minors from these risks. The regulatory framework for digital services, known as the DSA, requires large platforms to assess and reduce risks to users' mental and physical health.
TikTok has been given the opportunity to respond to the criticism before the Commission makes any decision. If the European Commission finds that the company has broken the rules, it could lead to high fines. The company has previously said that it works to protect young users and has introduced features such as screen time and restrictions for younger accounts.
The issue is also important in Sweden, where many young people use TikTok every day. The criticism from the EU shows that authorities want large social media companies to take greater responsibility for what their algorithms show. It remains to be seen how the European Commission will proceed with the case.
Sources: Metro Mode
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