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TikTok suicide content probe: France has intensified its scrutiny of TikTok after multiple findings suggested that the platform continues to expose minors to depressive and suicide-related content through its powerful recommendation algorithm.

The Paris Prosecutor’s Office has opened a preliminary criminal investigation, marking the first time in France that a social media platform faces such serious action for allegedly failing to protect children online.

Criminal Probe Into TikTok’s Algorithmic Risks

Authorities confirmed the probe will examine whether TikTok’s algorithm promotes harmful content “notably involving suicide” to minors and whether the platform complied with legal obligations to report illegal activity. The case has been assigned to the Paris police cybercrime brigade.

If the inquiry leads to charges, TikTok’s French unit could face heavy fines and potential prison sentences for responsible individuals. TikTok has rejected all allegations, stating that it intends to “vigorously defend” its safety record.

The investigation follows new research by Amnesty International, which replicated earlier warnings about TikTok’s algorithmic amplification of self-harm content. Using three test accounts registered as 13-year-olds in France, researchers said the feeds showed “sadness and depressive content” within minutes, even before indicating any interest.

Within 20 minutes, the “For You” page was filled almost entirely with mental-health-related videos, according to the report. Two accounts were recommended content expressing suicidal thoughts within 45 minutes. Additional automated testing suggested the algorithm doubled the recommendations of depressive content once a user lingered on similar videos.

Amnesty noted that such findings indicate clear systemic risks, despite TikTok’s compliance obligations under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

Parents, Psychologists Raise Alarm 

Families of affected teenagers say the platform has failed to remove dangerous posts despite repeated reports. The case of 15-year-old French teenager Marie Le Tiec, who died by suicide in 2021 after viewing harmful content, continues to fuel public outrage. Her mother, Stéphanie Mistre, said the algorithm “captures the emotions of children” and traps them inside a “filter bubble.”

While some netizens argue TikTok worsens vulnerability among already at-risk youth, others say the platform alone cannot be blamed for complex psychological struggles. However, researchers agree that extreme, repetitive exposure to romanticized self-harm content can reinforce emotional distress among minors.

Regulatory Pressure Grows Across Europe

TikTok, owned by ByteDance, is under close watch by the European Commission for potential DSA breaches. The company was fined 530 million euros earlier this year for separate data-handling violations. Several European governments are now considering tougher rules, including mandatory age verification and stricter content controls.

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Amnesty International has urged the EU to impose binding measures, stating that TikTok has failed to address the “addictive design” and engagement-driven model that underpins its algorithm.

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In a separate development, France’s Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers (SACD) has filed legal action alleging TikTok used copyrighted film and TV dialogues without permission. The collective, representing nearly 60,000 creators, says four years of discussions with the company yielded “no acceptable compensation.”

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