EU finds TikTok design addictive

by Steve Peers Reposted by Stephan Lewandowsky, Anne Applebaum, Georg Weizsäcker

Scholar power: 14.2%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Steve Peers	6%	27	9.4%
🎓 Stephan Lewandowsky	4%	88	3.8%
🎓 Anne Applebaum	2%	9	0.6%
🎓 Georg Weizsäcker	1%	21	0.5%
Total			14.2%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index + sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

86.0%

22.7 h

270

14.2%

Ranking score

0.218

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Steve Peers

@stevepeers.bsky.social

EU tech law

EU Commission preliminary finding that TikTok has breached Digital Services Act re 'addictive design' ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Commission preliminarily finds TikTok\'s addictive design in breach of the Digital Services Act

Today, the European Commission preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act for its addictive design.

ec.europa.eu

February 6, 2026 at 11:19 AM

Reposted by Kim L. Scheppele, Cathy N. Davidson, Anupam Chander , and 1 more Kim L. Scheppele, Cathy N. Davidson, Anupam Chander, Lesley A. Hall

12%

Scholar power: 12.5%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Kim L. Scheppele	13%	31	7.2%
🎓 Cathy N. Davidson	5%	29	2.7%
🎓 Anupam Chander	5%	18	2.1%
🎓 Lesley A. Hall	1%	20	0.4%
Total			12.5%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

86.0%

22.6 h

100

12.5%

Ranking score

0.182

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Justin Hendrix

@justinhendrix.bsky.social

The EU Commission has preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act over its addictive design — infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications & hyper-personalized recommendations. ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Commission preliminarily finds TikTok\'s addictive design in breach of the Digital Services Act

Today, the European Commission preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act for its addictive design.

ec.europa.eu

February 6, 2026 at 11:26 AM

Reposted by Juliet Lodge, John R. Hutchinson

0%

Scholar power: 0.9%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Juliet Lodge	2%	22	0.9%
🎓 John R. Hutchinson	-	64	-
Total			0.9%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

82.0%

19.5 h

81

0.9%

Ranking score

0.076

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

European Commission

@ec.europa.eu

We preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act for its addictive design.

Our investigation suggests that the platform did not properly consider how these addictive features could harm the physical and mental wellbeing of its users, including children and vulnerable adults.

↓

February 6, 2026 at 2:30 PM

by John R. Hutchinson

12%

Scholar power: 12%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 John R. Hutchinson	-	64	-

Professor John R. Hutchinson

@johnrhutchinson.bsky.social

Thank you, European Commission!

European Commission @ec.europa.eu · 19h

We preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act for its addictive design.

Our investigation suggests that the platform did not properly consider how these addictive features could harm the physical and mental wellbeing of its users, including children and vulnerable adults.

↓

February 6, 2026 at 3:08 PM

by Jeremy Harris Lipschultz

19%

Scholar power: 19.1%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Jeremy Harris Lipschultz	17%	14	19.1%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

72.0%

18.1 h

0

19.1%

Ranking score

0.036

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Casey Fiesler

12%

Scholar power: 12.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Casey Fiesler	7%	35	12.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

59.0%

17.3 h

29

12.4%

Ranking score

0.028

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Dr. Casey Fiesler

@cfiesler.bsky.social

After going down a rabbit hole re: U.S. TikTok's new privacy policy, I couldn't stop thinking about how even if some of the alarm was based on misleading information, it's not surprising that everyone assumes the worst. Anyway, I wrote about this: theconversation.com/fears-about-...

Fears about TikTok’s policy changes point to a deeper problem in the tech industry

Following the app’s sale, the company’s updated privacy policy and terms of service set off alarm bells. The reaction shows Big Tech has lost the public’s trust.

theconversation.com

February 6, 2026 at 4:47 PM

by Veli‐Matti Karhulahti Reposted by Matti Vuorre

9%

Scholar power: 9.1%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Veli‐Matti Karhulahti	5%	16	6.0%
🎓 Matti Vuorre	7%	20	3.1%
Total			9.1%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index + sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

76.0%

21.9 h

2

9.1%

Ranking score

0.026

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Veli-Matti Karhulahti

@mkarhulahti.bsky.social

European Commission's formal analysis of TikTok has concluded today & finds it to represent 'addictive design'

--great that someone is doing this work but would really appreciate some transparency in the process so that experts (like myself) could understand

ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

ec.europa.eu

February 6, 2026 at 12:13 PM

by James O’Sullivan

5%

Scholar power: 5.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 James O’Sullivan	5%	13	5.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

84.0%

13.8 h

1

5.4%

Ranking score

0.023

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

James O’Sullivan

@jamesosullivan.bsky.social

Eh, who’s going to tell them?
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

EU accuses TikTok of creating 'addictive design'

The European Commission has accused TikTok of creating an "addictive design" in its app which could harm the physical and mental wellbeing of minors and vulnerable adults.

www.rte.ie

February 6, 2026 at 8:11 PM

Reposted by Anupam Chander

2%

Scholar power: 2.1%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Anupam Chander	5%	18	2.1%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

83.0%

15.4 h

17

2.1%

Ranking score

0.021

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Justin Hendrix

@justinhendrix.bsky.social

The European Commission has preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act over its addictive design. TikTok says it will challenge the findings, but it’s a massive test for the Digital Services Act, with potential implications for all platforms, writes Chris Stokel-Walker.

The EU Wants to Label 'Addictive Design' a Systemic Risk Under the DSA

The EU's preliminary findings represent a massive test for the Digital Services Act, with implications for all platforms, writes Chris Stokel-Walker.

www.techpolicy.press

February 6, 2026 at 6:37 PM

by Anupam Chander

6%

Scholar power: 6.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Anupam Chander	5%	18	6.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

82.0%

18.9 h

0

6.4%

Ranking score

0.02

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Stephan Lewandowsky Reposted by Sander van der Linden, Jeroen Van Bouwel

16%

Scholar power: 16.0%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Stephan Lewandowsky	4%	88	11.3%
🎓 Sander van der Linden	5%	77	4.4%
🎓 Jeroen Van Bouwel	1%	14	0.4%
Total			16.0%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index + sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

49.0%

38.7 h

30

16.0%

Ranking score

0.019

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Stephan Lewandowsky

@lewan.bsky.social

There have been increasingly shrill accusations against the EU over its digital legislation, based on accusations of "censorship" by defenders of "free speech" -- including, so it appears, the right to peddle an AI app that seemingly produces child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
1/9

February 5, 2026 at 7:21 PM

Reposted by Edgar Morgenroth

0%

Scholar power: 0.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Edgar Morgenroth	1%	19	0.4%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

80.0%

23.0 h

33

0.4%

Ranking score

0.016

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Finbarr Bermingham

@fbermingham.bsky.social

Breaking: EU Commission finds TikTok in breach of the digital services act over its "addictive design"

Bytedance-owned app could face fine of up to 6% of global revenue if it doesn't fix addicitive properties like infinite scroll, autoplay, recommender systems

February 6, 2026 at 11:04 AM

Reposted by Jussi T. Eronen

0%

Scholar power: 0.6%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Jussi T. Eronen	1%	39	0.6%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

82.0%

21.5 h

5

0.6%

Ranking score

0.013

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

AFP News Agency

@en.afp.com

🇪🇺 The EU has told TikTok it needs to change its "addictive design" or risk heavy fines, after the Chinese-owned platform was found in breach of the bloc's digital content rules.
➡️ u.afp.com/S2X7

February 6, 2026 at 12:30 PM

by Anupam Chander

6%

Scholar power: 6.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Anupam Chander	5%	18	6.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

58.0%

9.9 h

1

6.4%

Ranking score

0.013

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Matti Vuorre

9%

Scholar power: 9.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Matti Vuorre	7%	20	9.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

66.0%

20.8 h

0

9.4%

Ranking score

0.013

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Matti Vuorre

@matti.vuorre.com

It's official now I guess?

Veli-Matti Karhulahti @mkarhulahti.bsky.social · 21h

European Commission's formal analysis of TikTok has concluded today & finds it to represent 'addictive design'

--great that someone is doing this work but would really appreciate some transparency in the process so that experts (like myself) could understand

ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

ec.europa.eu

February 6, 2026 at 1:13 PM

Reposted by Manuel Puppis, Marini Marini

3%

Scholar power: 3.6%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Manuel Puppis	9%	16	3.6%
🎓 Marini Marini	0%	8	0.0%
Total			3.6%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

64.0%

22.9 h

10

3.6%

Ranking score

0.012

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Henna Virkkunen

@hennavirkkunen.bsky.social

Today, we preliminarily found TikTok in breach of #DSA for its addictive design.

This includes features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and its highly personalised recommender system.

February 6, 2026 at 11:11 AM

Reposted by Greg Linden

2%

Scholar power: 2%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Greg Linden	-	23	-

Ars Technica

@arstechnica.com

Brussels has warned TikTok that its endlessly scrolling feeds may breach Europe’s new content rules, as regulators press ahead with efforts to rein in the social effects of big online platforms.

EU says TikTok needs to drop "addictive design"

Regulators say design choices that hook users could breach EU's digital rules.

arstechnica.com

February 6, 2026 at 5:16 PM

by Anupam Chander

6%

Scholar power: 6.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Anupam Chander	5%	18	6.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

62.0%

18.9 h

0

6.4%

Ranking score

0.008

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Veli‐Matti Karhulahti

6%

Scholar power: 6.0%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Veli‐Matti Karhulahti	5%	16	6.0%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

66.0%

21.9 h

1

6.0%

Ranking score

0.008

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Veli-Matti Karhulahti

@mkarhulahti.bsky.social

the features listed in the press release are used by almost every successful platforms/products-- I'd like to understand how TikTok design is different (beyond its size), and what specific combos/types produce addiction here (ppl have studied this for ages with little success)

February 6, 2026 at 12:13 PM

Reposted by Anupam Chander

2%

Scholar power: 2.1%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 33%, Communication & Media Studies 29%, Psychology 19%, Public Health 19%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Anupam Chander	5%	18	2.1%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

81.0%

19.5 h

1

2.1%

Ranking score

0.006

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

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EU finds TikTok design addictive

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EU finds TikTok design addictive

Scholar power: 14.2%

Scholar power: 12.5%

Scholar power: 0.9%

Scholar power: 12%

Scholar power: 19.1%

Scholar power: 12.4%

Scholar power: 9.1%

Scholar power: 5.4%

Scholar power: 2.1%

Scholar power: 6.4%

Scholar power: 16.0%

Scholar power: 0.4%

Scholar power: 0.6%

Scholar power: 6.4%

Scholar power: 9.4%

Scholar power: 3.6%

Scholar power: 2%

Scholar power: 6.4%

Scholar power: 6.0%

Scholar power: 2.1%

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