Ongoing

  1. ElectionsHot
  2. AIHot
  3. US mid-termsHeating up
NewsbriefSouth Africa, briefly.
JoburgJHB29°80%CTCT19°100%PretoriaPTA31°100%DurbanDBN26°90%

EU charges TikTok over addictive recommender system

Published

The European Commission issued preliminary findings on Friday saying TikTok's recommender algorithm pushes users toward repetitive harmful content. TikTok's owner ByteDance risks a fine next year of up to 6% of its global annual turnover unless it fixes the problem.

The findings fall under the Digital Services Act. The Commission said TikTok failed to put in place proportionate and effective measures against the risks from its algorithm.

The Commission said endless exposure to content about sadness, isolation or body image can harm the mental health of users. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said the algorithm keeps feeding users more of what they watch or like, and that it leads them into loops they struggle to leave. She said TikTok must do more to protect the wellbeing of users, including minors.

TikTok said earlier findings from February were categorically false. Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is separately under investigation over similar effects.

Key facts

Who
Henna Virkkunen (EU tech chief); European Commission (EU tech regulator that issued the charges); TikTok (social media platform charged); ByteDance (TikTok's Chinese owner)
What
EU tech regulators issued preliminary findings to TikTok under the Digital Services Act, saying its recommender algorithm exposes users to repetitive harmful content without proportionate mitigation measures. TikTok's owner ByteDance risks a fine next year of up to 6% of global annual turnover unless it resolves the issue.
When
6 November 2026
Where
European Union
Status
Reported

Related stories

Elections Hot

What you need to know

With about 74% of the national vote counted, the IFP stands at about 4.6%, below the 5.64% it won in 2021, though it says it made gains. Earlier partial results had the ANC leading nationally with 31%, the DA on 25% and the MK Party third, with the EFF fourth.

The DA leads in 19 of 25 Western Cape municipalities but has passed 51% in only seven, while the ANC has won none of the 21 councils reported there. The ANC, DA, EFF and ActionSA say they are open to coalition talks as results point to hung councils.

The MK Party won outright majorities in Richmond and Impendle in KwaZulu-Natal, and the Electoral Commission will declare final results on Sunday.

  1. Mabuyane blames "regime change" campaign for ANC metro losses
  2. ANC loses majority in Buffalo City as UDM surges
  3. IFP says it made gains despite lower national vote share

See every update

AI Hot

What you need to know

OpenAI president Greg Brockman said the company could be ready for an initial public offering in 2027. Earlier, reports based on unnamed sources said OpenAI had lowered the target for its latest funding round, and OpenAI has not been quoted on that claim.

Anthropic published its S-1 filing for a Nasdaq listing under the symbol ANT, showing revenue of $4.6bn in 2025 and a net loss of $80.7bn in the first half of 2026. Anthropic also said it is committing close to $900bn to AI infrastructure, with spending on computing power rising faster than revenues.

Elsewhere, an AI chip investment scheme that recruited South Africans on social media went offline on 30 October, leaving members unable to withdraw money.

  1. Parents sue Google over Gemini chatbot and daughter's suicide plan
  2. OpenAI could be ready for a share listing in 2027
  3. Only 4 people booked Uber rides through an AI agent

See every update

US mid-terms Heating up

What you need to know

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections on 3 November, with at least a 54-44 Senate majority and at least 30 House seats gained. Exit polls showed voters angry about high prices and the direction of the country, and the result was a rebuke of President Donald Trump.

Trump said the Iran war was needed to stop Tehran getting a nuclear weapon, but admitted it contributed to Republican losses, while Vice-President JD Vance said the war was the reason. Markets reacted, with the JSE All Share Index rising almost 5% on 5 November and Brent crude falling below $100 a barrel as investors hoped for an end to the war.

Earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the result would introduce a new era in world relations, while some leaders warned of political gridlock in Washington.

  1. US planning commission approves Trump's 76m triumphal arch
  2. Asian stocks plunge as US election results shake AI trade
  3. Trump blames Democrats' election win for US stock market fall

See every update