The European Commission has preliminarily accused the TikTok platform of failing to protect users’ mental health. The European regulator warned that its algorithm may expose young people and vulnerable individuals to harmful content. The preliminary findings of the investigation, published on Friday, emphasize that TikTok’s recommendation system may lead users into a continuous cycle of videos on certain topics.
As a result, TikTok and the EU now face a new regulatory battle over users’ mental health. These issues include body image and diets, as well as isolation, anxiety and eating disorders. According to the Commission, although a single video may not be a problem, repeated exposure to dozens of similar contents can have negative consequences for mental health.
European officials have also found that some of the platform’s protective mechanisms are not effective. Even when users select the “Not interested” option for a video, the algorithm may again recommend similar content. Likewise, refreshing the main page offers only a temporary break from videos on the same topic.
“Every time a user scrolls through or likes a video on TikTok, the algorithm serves more of the same thing, leading users down rabbit holes they cannot easily escape from,” said Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission official responsible for technology policy.
She urged the company to step up efforts to protect users’ well-being, especially minors. TikTok, for its part, has disputed the European Commission’s findings. The company described the statements as inaccurate and a distorted representation of how the platform works.
The company claims that its policies prohibit content that promotes eating disorders and dangerous behavior related to weight. According to it, during the first six months of 2026, more than 79 million users in the European Union have used filters to limit unwanted content.
The European Commission’s investigation is part of proceedings initiated in February 2024 under the Digital Services Act. This law requires large online platforms to take measures to prevent risks related to their services. If the preliminary findings are confirmed at the conclusion of the investigation, TikTok could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover.