TikTok faces an EU challenge to the way its main video feed can keep serving users similar material about sadness, isolation or body image. On 6 November 2026, the European Commission announced a preliminary finding that the platform had fallen short of its duties under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to assess and reduce risks from the For You feed. The Commission singled out minors and vulnerable adults as particularly exposed to potential harm from repeated recommendations.
Key facts
- The finding concerns the sequence of personalised videos that users see in TikTok’s For You feed.
- The Commission’s investigation began in February 2024 and covered several aspects of the platform. The November findings address the recommendation system.
- TikTok disputes the Commission’s account and can inspect the investigation file and respond in writing.
Why does the sequence of videos matter?
For You presents a continuous stream of personalised videos. According to the Commission, when a viewer interacts more with a type of content, TikTok’s system recommends more videos on similar subjects. The Commission argues that repeated exposure is what can make the feed harmful, especially for people who are already vulnerable. A single video may be permitted on the platform, yet a long sequence of videos on the same topic can carry different risks for the viewer.
Officials speaking to The Record said the investigation focused on videos that were lawful and complied with TikTok’s own rules. That puts the emphasis on what the platform recommends after someone watches or interacts with a video. The Commission says TikTok identified some of the risks in its own assessments but failed to analyse them adequately and introduce sufficient safeguards. A TikTok spokesperson told The Record that the Commission had mischaracterised the platform’s design and its approach to user safety. The company said it gives users direct control over their experience.
How would changes to the feed affect users?
The Commission’s July 2025 guidelines on protecting minors already recommended giving greater weight to explicit signals from children, such as the choices they make about what they want to see, than to behavioural signals. They also recommended giving children more control over their feeds. A system that gives a user’s stated preference greater weight can treat time spent watching a video differently from a direct request to see more of that topic. The guidelines are voluntary and help the Commission assess compliance with the DSA’s duty to protect minors. The November findings concern TikTok’s own risk assessment and safeguards, including for vulnerable adults.
What can the Commission do next?
When the Commission opened formal proceedings in February 2024, it was examining a broader set of issues. They included the protection of minors, the transparency of advertising and access to data for researchers. The opening followed an initial review of TikTok’s risk assessment report and responses to requests for information. The November findings put a specific part of that investigation before the company for a response: whether it assessed and mitigated risks created by its recommendations.
TikTok can inspect the documents in the Commission’s investigation file and submit written observations. In parallel, the Commission will consult the European Board for Digital Services. The Commission did not give a date for a final decision in its announcement. If it confirms an infringement, it can issue a non-compliance decision and may impose a fine of up to 6% of TikTok’s worldwide annual turnover.
