European Commission finds TikTok in breach over recommendations
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Amnesty International
The European Commission preliminarily considers that TikTok breaches the Digital Services Act because of risks linked to its recommendation system. Amnesty International is calling for changes to social media design and stronger rules to protect young people, according to the organisation's researcher Lisa Dittmer.
Amnesty International welcomes the European Commission's preliminary findings that TikTok breaches the Digital Services Act (DSA) because of the “rabbit hole” effect of its recommendation system. Lisa Dittmer, Amnesty International's researcher on the digital rights of children and young people, considers that TikTok's “For You” feed exposes users to risks to their wellbeing.
Amnesty International says its research has documented French young people consulting mental health-related content being exposed to content associated with depression, self-harm and suicide. Its 2025 report, “Dragged into the Rabbit Hole”, had led to a formal complaint under the DSA, according to the organisation.
Lisa Dittmer calls on TikTok to comply with European regulations and urges regulators to adopt binding standards on platform design. Amnesty International had also published two reports in 2023 on the effects of TikTok's recommendation system on the rights of children and young people.
Amnesty International says that TikTok had not yet publicly responded to the European Commission's preliminary findings at the time of its statement.
