TikTok's 'addictive design' found to be illegal in Europe

Post by Permit » Fri, Feb 06, 2026, 9:53 PM UTC

Frieren wrote: post #161

dmix wrote: post #89

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People are way too comfortable banning things these days. This is where the term 'nanny state' comes from. A subset of the population doesn't have self control? Ban it everyone. Even if it's a wildly popular form of entertainment with millions of creators sharing their lives, who cares we know better.

> People are way too comfortable banning things these days. This is where the term 'nanny state' comes from. A subset of the population doesn't have self control? Ban it everyone. Even if it's a wildly popular form of entertainment with millions of creators sharing their lives, who cares we know better. Europe wants to ban algorithmic recommendation. You attack a straw-man: banning all the content from creators. If y…

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Feb 06, 2026, 10:11 PM UTC

Post by forgetfreeman » Fri, Feb 06, 2026, 10:14 PM UTC

TheOtherHobbes wrote: post #200

wackget wrote: post #132

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You are not acknowledging the fact that the companies producing these addictive apps are very much doing it intentionally. They are specifically making it as engaging as possible because that's how they make money . And they have billions of dollars to sink into making their products as irresistable as possible. The average person has zero chance against all-pervasive, ultra-manipulative, highly-engineered systems li…

That's not wrong, but it's a selective take. The entire economy operates like an addiction machine, using proven psychological techniques to modify individual and collective behaviours and beliefs. It's not just social media. It's gaming, ad tech, marketing, PR, religion, entertainment, the physical design of malls and stores... And many many more. The difference with social media is that the sharp end is automated a…

Post by dragonwriter » Fri, Feb 06, 2026, 10:31 PM UTC

cess11 wrote: post #436

wat10000 wrote: post #301

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Well sure, they don't want the competition. Churches have naturally evolved to use techniques that keep people coming back. The ones that don't do that die out.

Are you sure churches are a natural phenomenon rather than a cultural one?

Post by Wyverald » Fri, Feb 06, 2026, 10:34 PM UTC

AreShoesFeet000 wrote: post #264

Jensson wrote: post #237

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> The algorithm puts you in control a little bit more. Why not let you choose to get a less addictive algorithm? Older algorithms were less addictive, so its not at all impossible to do this, many users would want this.

I just don’t think that the addiction is exclusively due to the algorithm. There’s really a lack of affordable varied options for learning trade and entertainment. We say in Portuguese: You shouldn’t throw the baby away along with the water you used to bathe.