BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) on Monday launched a probe into TikTok’s spinoff Lite app and warned to suspend an “addictive” feature on it that rewards users for watching and liking videos, citing concerns about its impact on mental health, particularly among minors.
TikTok Lite, a slimmed-down version of the popular video-sharing app, was introduced in France and Spain in March, offering users aged 18 and above the opportunity to earn points through a rewards program, which can be exchanged for vouchers or gift cards.
Expressing apprehensions regarding the app’s potential risks to users’ mental health, especially minors, the European Commission launched a probe into TikTok Lite. The commission highlighted concerns about the app’s addictive nature and its potential for causing serious harm.
TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, failed to provide a risk assessment for the Lite app by the April 18 deadline set by the commission. Consequently, the commission demanded TikTok to submit the assessment by Tuesday and warned of interim measures, including suspending the rewards program in the EU, pending a safety assessment.
Thierry Breton, the European Commission’s top tech enforcer, likened TikTok Lite to potentially being as addictive as “cigarettes ‘light’,” emphasizing the need for TikTok to furnish compelling evidence of its safety.
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes stricter regulations on digital platforms, the commission has the authority to impose fines of up to one percent of a company’s total annual income or global turnover, along with periodic penalties of up to five percent, if companies fail to comply with regulations.
In the United States, TikTok is facing legislative pressure, with the House of Representatives passing a bill that could compel TikTok to divest from ByteDance or face a nationwide ban.
