It's not every day that you get to choose what kind of content lands on your feeds, but it looks like TikTok is about to give users in Europe a bit more control over their For You page. As part of its efforts to comply with the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which we'll be getting into shortly, they're rolling out an option for folks across the pond - namely those based within member states and citizens from other countries who've made it onto TikTok by way of usage or sign-up in any case.
While users are given more control over their For You page experience as part of this rollout plan, there's some rather interesting implications that come to mind: for one thing is the fact its a pretty rare instance where European regulators have gone after social media companies hard and fast - we're talking Twitter Instagram Facebook not just limited down here anymore but big tech giants too get no less. In essence what does it mean when your algorithm starts spitting out content you've never even heard of let alone seen before?
There's a whole lot to consider, indeed as the DSA requires "very large social media platforms" like TikTok Twitter and Facebook etc., offer users an option not receive certain features - with some tech experts speculating we could be looking at a sea change in how such companies do business altogether given these regulatory hurdles are coming fast down pike now.
Now, there's no question that Europe has always been the strictest about data protection among all regions but its still somewhat of an eyebrow-raener when you think back to some past times and see what can be learned from this - for those with short memories it wasn't so long ago European regulators started laying down a rather stern line towards big tech companies like Facebook etc..
In fact, in terms of the DSA's impact on social media platforms such as TikTok Twitter Instagram or Meta we should expect to continue seeing many changes across various fronts including how user data is treated - especially given that some might even claim these moves aren't exactly a new occurrence but an actual evolution. The joke here goes: Why did Europeans' regulators go after big tech? they were all "dis-appointment" in their hopes for transparency, ah you get the idea now no need to be down about this one though - just think of it as yet another instance where Europe gets its say on what's happening next!
If we're honest however there are some interesting times ahead and rather than simply focusing upon a specific social media platform here today in fact looking at changes across digital services more generally speaking might yield valuable insight into the sorts which big tech companies need to pull off - or else they'll find themselves having had quite an eventful few years for sure.
In this sense, one thing we should all be rather clear about: The Digital Services Act will keep on sending ripples throughout how social media platforms do business in Europe and by extension maybe even worldwide given some of the DSA's broader implications - what that looks like from here though is anyone’s guess right now indeed.
In short it would seem there are many different areas for those looking into this evolving story to consider carefully, but we should expect much more as social media platforms such as TikTok etc., continue making waves and complying with said DSA requirements moving forward - all that's left here really is which of them will be the ones pushing boundaries next eh?
At last now when one looks at a few numbers let’s remember this isn't exactly something new but an ongoing story where there are still many parts to it we haven’t heard yet and while some might think they know what comes after that's just not how things go - you never quite get all the pieces of these tech giants together in short order without Europe having its say first, so if anything else is on your mind now try grabbing onto this: It looks like European regulators are getting more than a little interested.
In conclusion it appears we will soon see TikTok's personalized algorithm become less for you after users opt out and start to get used content that doesn't include their personally relevant data - but the DSA requires big social media platforms give such options so its not exactly rocket science, nor does this mean all Europeans now have a lot more control over what lands on feeds moving forward from here.
In effect there are still some rather interesting days ahead for both TikTok and other tech giants based in Europe right about now - although whether that means anything will significantly change or if these moves turn out being somewhat less than meets the eye we simply cannot say but one thing does certainly appear to be coming into play namely how Europeans handle their social media going forward under DSA regulations.
With all of this, what began as a TikTok blog post now is culminating - and while they could have easily called it something else entirely its perhaps just that bit more attention-grabbing than the rest: As we continue to see whether users can opt out from