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EU Finds TikTok’s Design Encourages Addictive Behaviour, Calls for Changes

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The European Commission has found that TikTok has not sufficiently limited addictive features such as infinite scroll, which encourages compulsive behaviour, according to preliminary findings released on Friday.

The regulator said the popular video-sharing app relies on features that continuously feed users new content, putting their brains on “autopilot” and prompting repeated scrolling. The Commission concluded that these design elements breach Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and fail to adequately protect users, particularly children and teenagers.

Henna Virkkunen, European Commission executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, stressed the risks of social media addiction. “Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens,” she said. “The Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for the effects they can have on their users. In Europe, we enforce our legislation to protect our children and our citizens online.”

The Commission highlighted that TikTok’s Daily Screen Time feature, which automatically sets a one-hour limit for users aged 13 to 17, is ineffective because warnings are “easy to dismiss.” Regulators also raised concerns over parental controls, including the Family Pairing tool, which allows parents to manage screen time, monitor activity, and restrict content. The Commission said these tools are not successful because they demand additional effort and skills from parents.

To comply with the DSA, TikTok will need to “change the basic design of its service,” the Commission said. Proposed measures include disabling infinite scroll, implementing more effective screen time breaks, and modifying video recommendations to reduce compulsive use.

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TikTok responded to the preliminary findings in a statement to Euronews Next, calling them “categorically false and entirely meritless.” The company said it plans to challenge the findings through all available channels and noted that it offers a variety of tools to help users manage screen time, including sleep hours and well-being missions that reward users for following limits.

The investigation, launched in 2024, examines whether TikTok meets the requirements of the DSA, which obliges online platforms to manage risks, moderate content, and promote transparency. The Commission reviewed TikTok’s internal risk assessments, company data, and research on behavioural addiction.

This probe follows previous DSA inquiries, including one last October that found TikTok and Meta had made it difficult for researchers to access public data. Another investigation into TikTok’s advertising practices has already concluded.

The current findings are preliminary, and no fines or penalties have been imposed. TikTok has the right to respond in writing and propose solutions. The Commission will also consult the European Board for Digital Services before potentially issuing a non-compliance decision, which could carry fines of up to six percent of the company’s global annual turnover.

In the DSA investigation, TikTok has committed to posting the full content of all ads on its platform to an online repository updated every 24 hours, as part of efforts to improve transparency and user protection.

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ESA and GSMA Launch €100 Million Initiative to Advance Europe’s 6G and AI Ambitions

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Europe has stepped up its push to lead in next-generation connectivity with a new partnership between the European Space Agency and the GSMA aimed at strengthening 6G and artificial intelligence capabilities through satellite-based communications.

The two organisations announced at the Mobile World Congress a joint funding programme worth up to €100 million to accelerate the integration of satellite and terrestrial mobile networks, known as non-terrestrial networks (NTN). The initiative marks one of Europe’s most significant public investments to date in hybrid satellite-mobile infrastructure.

Antonio Franchi, head of the 5G/6G NTN Programme Office at ESA, described connectivity as the backbone for unlocking advanced technologies. He said the funding would support the development of networks, services and digital tools that could benefit industries and society at large as digital transformation expands.

The programme is open to companies and organisations based in EU member states, which can apply by submitting formal proposals to ESA. Projects will be selected following an evaluation process.

Funding will focus on four core areas: artificial intelligence-driven management of multi-orbit satellite and ground networks; direct-to-device connectivity for smartphones and Internet of Things devices; collaborative 5G and 6G testing platforms; and early research into edge intelligence and advanced IoT systems.

The types of applications envisioned include telemedicine and telesurgery, autonomous driving systems and precision agriculture, all of which depend on reliable, high-capacity connectivity. By merging satellite coverage with mobile infrastructure, the initiative aims to extend high-speed communication even to remote regions.

Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer at GSMA, said combining the mobile industry’s global reach with ESA’s expertise in space technology would help usher in a new era of connectivity and deliver transformative benefits.

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The move comes as global competition intensifies in satellite internet and advanced communications, with US companies currently holding a strong position. European officials say the continent’s strength in high-tech manufacturing and specialised software can offer an independent and competitive alternative.

Several European firms are showcasing their work under the programme at MWC, including Nokia, Filtronic, OQ Technology and MinWave Technologies. Demonstrations include live displays of hybrid network architectures and orchestration of satellite-terrestrial systems.

A centrepiece of the exhibition highlights Europe’s space ambitions through a mixed-reality model of ESA’s Argonaut lunar lander, designed to deliver cargo to the Moon. Visitors can remotely operate a training rover via a live satellite link, underscoring how Europe’s connectivity infrastructure is intended to support not only terrestrial innovation but also future lunar missions.

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Mobile World Congress Opens in Barcelona With Focus on AI and 5G Concerns

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The Mobile World Congress opens its doors on Monday, marking its 20th year in Barcelona and showcasing the latest developments in global connectivity. Once known primarily as a launchpad for new smartphones, the annual technology gathering has evolved into a broader platform for artificial intelligence, next-generation networks and emerging digital infrastructure.

This year’s event is set to spotlight AI innovations and what organisers describe as the “IQ Era,” referring to the deeper integration of artificial intelligence into daily life and industry. Exhibitions will also explore the future of airport travel, advances in robotics and discussions around 5G and early 6G development.

Vivek Badrinath, director general of the GSMA, which hosts the conference, issued a warning about Europe’s lagging 5G deployment in remarks to Euronews. He said that while the United States and China have advanced in standalone 5G networks, enabling industrial automation in ports and factories, Europe has reached only about 3 percent deployment of 5G standalone technology.

Badrinath described the situation as a “chicken and egg” problem. Without broad network coverage, European companies are reluctant to invest in robotics or AI systems that depend on 5G. At the same time, limited demand slows infrastructure rollout. “If we don’t roll out 5G properly, you’re out of the game,” he said, arguing that digital competitiveness depends on strong network foundations.

Regulatory reform is expected to be a central topic at the conference, particularly around the European Union’s proposed Digital Network Act, which aims to modernise and harmonise connectivity rules. Telecom operators have called for changes that would allow greater consolidation and investment capacity. Industry leaders point to Europe’s fragmented market of roughly 200 operators, many serving around five million customers each, compared with the far larger scale of major providers in the US and China.

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Government participation at the event remains strong. Last year’s ministerial programme drew dozens of ministers and regulatory agency heads, and similar high-level attendance is expected this year, offering a forum for dialogue between policymakers and industry executives.

Beyond policy debates, organisers say MWC will continue to highlight consumer and enterprise technologies. Among the anticipated product showcases is a foldable robotic phone from Chinese brand Honor. The exhibition will also introduce “Airport of the Future,” demonstrating how connectivity is reshaping aviation systems, and “New Frontiers,” a space dedicated to quantum computing, robotics and satellite-based non-terrestrial networks.

As the conference enters its third decade in Barcelona, organisers aim to balance technological ambition with urgent discussions about Europe’s digital future.

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Transatlantic Tensions on Digital Rules Highlight Need for Cooperation

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Discussions between Europe and the United States over digital regulation continue to be marked by miscommunication and frustration, even as competitors observe from the sidelines. Europeans and Americans talk past each other while rivals watch. The European Union can set its own standards, but in an interconnected economy, decoupling fantasies and grandstanding won’t help.

The debate often centres on “free speech” concerns voiced by U.S. tech companies and policymakers in response to the EU’s legislative framework for digital platforms. In Europe, such narratives typically prompt defensive reactions. Some Europeans respond with a blunt message: “This is our land, our Union, our laws, follow them, or leave the EU—we’ll find alternative products to use!” Public awareness of American constitutional amendments is low across Europe, just as Americans pay little attention to European digital acts and regulations.

The transatlantic dialogue is further complicated by the global nature of social media platforms. Any EU legislation affecting user experience inevitably influences the functioning of these platforms worldwide, touching on what Americans see as free speech rights. The EU also seeks to extend its influence through the “Brussels effect,” ensuring that European rules shape global standards, while the U.S. maintains a large trade surplus in services and competes technologically with China. This mix of economic, political, and regulatory factors explains why U.S. attention is sharply focused on Europe’s digital policies.

Europeans argue that their 450-million-consumer market has the right to set rules that reflect local principles and values. Attempts to adjust or simplify regulations are difficult, with efforts often met with political resistance and scrutiny. The regulatory ecosystem in Europe supports industries of lawyers, consultants, and experts whose work depends on maintaining complex rules, making reform a sensitive topic.

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On the American side, anti-EU rhetoric by public figures has sometimes compounded the problem, drowning out moderates and reinforcing defensive European responses. Analysts note that both regions have seen productive voices sidelined as grandstanding and negative statements dominate public discourse.

Observers argue that long-term thinking is necessary. By evaluating the EU-U.S. tech partnership in the broader context of global alliances, including China and Russia, policymakers can better assess priorities and avoid unnecessary disruption. Blank-slate decoupling between Europe and the United States is unrealistic, and delaying constructive dialogue risks broader economic consequences.

Experts warn that continued transatlantic infighting benefits other global powers and weakens the ability of both regions to set coherent standards in emerging technologies. The message from analysts is clear: cooperation, not confrontation, will determine whether the EU and U.S. can maintain leadership in digital regulation while safeguarding economic and technological interests.

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