European Union tech regulators have formally accused TikTok of breaching the bloc’s online content regulations, citing concerns that the platform’s design features encourage addictive behaviour, particularly among younger users.

The European Commission said its preliminary findings, released after a year long investigation, indicate that TikTok failed to comply with obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The landmark legislation requires large online platforms to take greater responsibility for managing illegal and harmful content and to mitigate systemic risks linked to their services.

According to the Commission, TikTok’s interface and engagement mechanisms may violate EU rules designed to protect users’ mental health and digital well being. Regulators warned that if the findings are upheld, TikTok could be required to significantly change its app design or face fines of up to 6% of its parent company ByteDance’s global annual revenue.

The probe marks one of the most significant enforcement actions taken under the DSA since it came into force, as the EU intensifies scrutiny of major technology companies and their impact on users. TikTok has previously stated that it prioritizes user safety and complies with applicable regulations, and it is expected to respond formally to the Commission’s findings.

The case underscores the EU’s growing efforts to rein in big tech platforms and set global standards for online accountability, transparency, and user protection.