EU says TikTok faces large fine over "addictive design"

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/european-commission-says-tiktok-facing-fine-over-addictive-design/

The European Commission said today that TikTok is facing a fine because its addictive features, including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and personalized recommendation systems, are breaching the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

40 points · 9 comments · view on lemmy.world

9 Comments

LemmyShemmy@aussie.zone · 5 pts · 200d (1 reply)
[ removed ]
ryan_@piefed.social · 1 pts · 200d

I agree but the version of TikTok in the us (with us ownership) is only for the us market. That was spun out to a different company. The global version is still owned by china/btyedance, so the EU has a problem with them.

MagnificentSteiner@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 200d (6 replies)

large fine slap on the hand

BrikoX@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 200d (5 replies)

Not in this case. DSA is % based fine on global annual turnover. So up to 6% from $186 billion (using 2025 data) is more than a slap.

MagnificentSteiner@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 200d (4 replies)

It makes it sound a lot when you put it like that.

If instead I say that 6% of €1000 is €60 then it doesn't sound so much despite being in the same proportion.

CouldntCareBear@sh.itjust.works · 7 pts · 200d (3 replies)

Turnover not profit remember. There isn't a business in the world that wouldn't feel that.

MagnificentSteiner@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 200d (2 replies)

It's reckoned that Bytedance's profit margin is about 20% which is insane. They'll easily absorb the 6% (as a general rule of thumb, most businesses would be over the moon with a 10% profit margin).

CouldntCareBear@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 200d (1 reply)

30% profit drop. No Biggie. I bet it won't even be mentioned at the AGM.

MagnificentSteiner@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 200d

Percentages are relative. They'll still be able to dry their eyes with the billions they'll have made in profit.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bytedance-track-50-billion-profit-160444958.html

ETA: to further put things in perspective...

1 million seconds = 12 days

1 billion seconds = 32 years

Chais@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 200d

Facebook and Insta next!