The EU is basically trying to revamp the way in which we work together with social media, shifting past easy content material moderation to focus on the precise “skeleton” of those apps. For the primary time, Brussels is treating addictive design—particularly options like infinite scrolling—not simply as a nuisance, however as a authorized threat underneath the Digital Companies Act (DSA).
The European Fee has signaled that TikTok’s present interface is inherently addictive, notably for youthful customers. To stay compliant and keep away from large monetary penalties, the platform is being pressured to:
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Kill the “Scroll”: Change the limitless feed with outlined stopping factors.
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Implement Breaks: Transfer from non-obligatory reminders to strict, obligatory screen-time interruptions.
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Algorithmic Transparency: Overhaul the advice engines that preserve customers looped into the app for hours.
The EU is focusing on the addictive design in social media apps. (Picture: DALL-E)
A Domino Impact for Large Tech
Whereas TikTok is the quick goal, this isn’t an remoted case; the EU is basically making a blueprint for your entire trade. Meta (Fb and Instagram) is already underneath an analogous microscope, and X (previously Twitter) has beforehand confronted transparency audits.
The core of the argument is that “surveillance-based promoting” depends on maintaining eyes on screens at any value. By labeling these design selections as a menace to psychological well being, the EU is forcing a pivot from engagement-first to safety-first structure.
What Occurs Subsequent?
Proper now we’re in a high-stakes negotiation section; TikTok has pushed again, calling the findings “meritless,” and can probably combat the costs in court docket. Nonetheless, the stakes are large: non-compliance might result in fines of as much as 6% of worldwide annual income.
Whereas we received’t see these apps change in a single day, the “Wild West” of persuasive design is ending. Future updates will probably characteristic extra handbook person controls and fewer “rabbit gap” options as platforms scramble to fulfill these new European requirements.
