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TikTok told to change ‘addictive design’ by EU or face massive fines

TikTok has stated its intention to contest the allegations, which it describes as completely unfounded and lacking in substance.

The European Union has issued an ultimatum to TikTok, demanding that the platform overhaul its design to address concerns over user addiction, or face substantial financial penalties for non-compliance with its online safety regulations.

A blurred anonymous child holding a phone

This development comes after a comprehensive investigation, launched by the European Commission in February 2024, into the practices of the Chinese-owned social media app.

Preliminary findings indicate that TikTok has fallen short of adequately evaluating the potential harm caused by features such as autoplay to its users, particularly children, and has not implemented sufficient measures to mitigate these risks.

A spokesperson for TikTok has disputed the Commission's preliminary findings, characterizing them as a "misrepresentation" of the platform, and intends to contest them.

TikTok has been given the opportunity to respond to the EU's concerns, after which the Commission may impose a fine of up to 6% of the company's global annual turnover, a figure estimated to be in the tens of billions.

According to EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, TikTok can avoid financial penalties by making significant changes to its service design in Europe.

The Commission has proposed several potential measures, including the introduction of "screen time breaks" for nighttime usage and modifications to its algorithms, which provide users with personalized content.

Additionally, the Commission has suggested that TikTok consider disabling its "infinite scroll" feature, which enables users to rapidly browse through vast amounts of content.

Henna Virkkunen emphasized that the Digital Services Act holds platforms accountable for their impact on users, highlighting the EU's commitment to protecting its citizens online.

The EU is resolute in its enforcement of legislation to safeguard children and citizens in the online environment.

Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics noted that while TikTok has introduced some safety tools, these efforts are insufficient to meet the EU's guidelines.

She observed that young people are advocating for such changes, driven by frustration that the platform prioritizes profit over their wellbeing.

This sentiment is echoed by young users, who feel that their wellbeing is being compromised for the sake of profit.

Social media expert Matt Navarra acknowledged that the term "addictive" is often misused in discussions about social media, but noted that the Commission's findings appear to be grounded in scientific research on user behavior.

Navarra described the Commission's stance as a significant shift in the regulatory approach to social media platforms.

He noted that this marks the first instance of a major regulator identifying the design of a platform as the primary issue, rather than just its content.

The focus has expanded from problematic content to the design itself, which can be inherently harmful.

This is not the EU's first investigation into the practices of major tech companies, nor is it the first time it has threatened them with financial penalties.

In December 2024, the EU launched a separate investigation into TikTok, focusing on alleged foreign interference in the Romanian presidential elections.

The EU also initiated an inquiry in January into Elon Musk's X, citing concerns over the use of its AI tool Grok to create explicit images of real individuals.

In December 2025, the EU imposed a fine of €120m (£105m) on X for its use of blue tick badges, which were deemed to be deceptive as the company was not adequately verifying account holders.

According to social media analyst Paolo Pescatore, the EU's announcement serves as a "reality check" for TikTok and a warning to all social media platforms.

Pescatore observed that the market is transitioning from a focus on maximizing user engagement to prioritizing responsibility, and regulators now have the tools to enforce this shift.

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US inflation slows as used vehicle prices decline

According to the most recent official data, prices increased by 2.4% over the 12 months ending in January, marking the smallest gain since May.

The US experienced a slowdown in inflation last month, driven by decreases in energy and used car prices.

A person in a black and white striped shirt with a pony tail walks past a parking lot of used cars. There is a large American flag hanging under the sign and a large white truck on display.

According to the Labor Department, the consumer price index increased by 2.4% over the past 12 months, ending in January, marking a decline from the previous month's 2.7% and the slowest rate since May.

This development may support the argument made by US President Donald Trump and others that the central bank has the flexibility to lower interest rates without triggering a surge in prices.

However, analysts caution that progress toward the Federal Reserve's inflation target of 2% may be hindered in the coming months if companies begin to pass on tariff costs to consumers more extensively.

Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors, noted that the impact of tariffs remains uncertain and pointed out other data anomalies that could have influenced the January figures.

Birrell stated that the January report is likely to pave the way for a potential rate cut in the near future.

He added that the US economy appears to be performing well, with strong growth, stable inflation, a robust job market, and a Federal Reserve that has the ability to adjust its policies as needed.

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Service Member Injured in Stabbing Incident Close to Military Base

According to Lt Col Mark Teeton, he considers himself lucky following what he describes as a premeditated and intentional assault perpetrated by Anthony Esan.

Lt Col Mark Teeton recalled the moment his life was put in danger when Anthony Esan dropped his deceptive facade and unleashed a violent attack, saying, "I knew I was in trouble."

Eileen Teeton in a black top and shoulder length brown hair, sits next to her husband Mark, who has short hair and is dressed in a grey suit.
Lt Col Mark Teeton, pictured with his wife Eileen, said the support of the public gave him strength after he was attacked by Anthony Esan in Chatham

On 23 July 2024, at approximately 18:00 BST, Teeton's routine walk home from Brompton Barracks was disrupted when Esan approached him, requesting to borrow his mobile phone to seek help for his broken-down moped.

Within three minutes, Teeton had suffered a brutal stabbing, which was briefly interrupted when his wife intervened, pushing Esan away as he lunged at her husband.

In an interview with the BBC, Teeton reflected on his ordeal, stating, "I was fortunate to have survived."

Esan, aged 25, received a life sentence with a minimum term of seven years and 162 days at Maidstone Crown Court.

During the sentencing, Mr Justice Picken described the attack as having an "unimaginable horror."

The judge also ruled that Esan would be detained in a hospital for as long as necessary.

Prior to the attack, Esan had conducted online searches for knives, a terrorist attack in West Africa, and TikTok videos depicting knife attacks in other countries.

Anthony Esan is seen being held by two police officers, who are wearing uniforms and gloves. Esan is wearing a grey top and has his hands behind his back.
The court heard Esan 'lied' to his mother and said he was going to look for a job

The court heard that Esan had also searched for information on the 2013 murder of Lee Rigby, referred to as the "Woolwich soldier murdered."

Forensic psychiatrists testified that Esan's actions were more likely driven by psychosis, but that he had intentionally targeted a soldier.

Mr Justice Picken stated, "The attack on Mr Teeton was targeted and deliberate."

Addressing Esan, the judge said, "You intentionally sought out a soldier with the intention of causing fatal harm, as evident from your online search of the Lee Rigby killing."

Eileen Teeton, Mark's wife, recounted how she rushed from their home and confronted the assailant, but Esan's gaze followed her.

She described how Esan then turned his attention back to her husband, at which point she realized the victim was her husband.

After Esan ceased his attack and fled on his moped, Eileen's priority was to get her husband medical attention as quickly as possible.

As Teeton drifted in and out of consciousness, guards from the nearby barracks, local residents, police, and paramedics arrived at the scene.

Teeton was rushed to Kings College Hospital in London, where he underwent emergency surgery, while his wife followed, unsure if he would survive.

Following the sentencing, Teeton stated that Esan's life imprisonment reflected the premeditation and planning that went into the attack against him, a British military officer.

He added, "Knife attacks have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the victim but also their families and the communities where they occur."

Teeton expressed his empathy, saying, "We feel the pain of every knife attack we see in the news, and our thoughts are always with those affected."

Prior to the attack, Teeton, a 26-year veteran of the military, had completed four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wearing combat uniform and dark glasses, Lt Col Teeton smiles at the camera from the interior of a partly-constructed building in Afghanistan
Lt Col Teeton worked with the Canadian armed forces in Afghanistan in 2010/11

He credited the swift response of paramedics, who arrived by air ambulance, with helping to save his life.

Teeton also acknowledged the role of locals who provided first aid, saying, "The immediate care they provided, along with the basic first aid principles they applied, absolutely saved me."

After a three-week hospital stay, Teeton returned home to find that the military had relocated his family to a more private area.

He then spent five weeks at a rehabilitation centre for injured military personnel near Loughborough before returning to work full-time in January 2025.

In January, Esan pleaded guilty to attempted murder, following several delays in the case due to concerns about his mental health.

Esan had previously attempted to join the British Army on multiple occasions, with his first application submitted in 2020.

In the same year, he was referred to mental health services due to apparent mental health issues and reports of hearing voices.

Esan's mother believed that, given his mental state, he should not have been in the community, according to testimony presented in court.

Eileen Teeton, who sings in a military wives choir, expressed relief that Esan had pleaded guilty, sparing them the ordeal of a trial.

She stated, "We felt a massive sense of relief that he had taken responsibility for his actions and pleaded guilty, sparing us and the jurors from reliving the horrific ordeal."

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Tudor to take interim charge of Tottenham

Igor Tudor has reached an agreement to take the reins as Tottenham’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Tottenham has reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to take the helm as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.

For the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and perspectives from fans, look to Tottenham's recent news and discussion.

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