EU threatens to ban TikTok Lite from using rewarded viewing feature

Headline

The European Commission said on Monday that it could suspend TikTok Lite’s rewards programme on Thursday if TikTok fails to address concerns about its potentially addictive effects on children. TikTok Lite’s reward programme TikTok Lite is a smaller version of the popular…

Context

The European Commission said on Monday that it could suspend TikTok Lite’s rewards programme on Thursday if TikTok fails to address concerns about its potentially addictive effects on children. TikTok Lite is a smaller version of the popular TikTok app that takes up less memory on your smartphone and can run on slower internet connections.

Evidence

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Analysis

TikTok Lite launched in France and Spain in March allowing users aged 18 and more to earn points that can be exchanged for goods like vouchers or gift cards through the app’s rewards programme. According to Thierry Breton, the EU industry chief said in a statement on Monday, “Unless TikTok provides compelling proof of its safety, which it has failed to do until now, we stand ready to trigger DSA interim measures including the suspension of TikTok Lite feature which we suspect could generate addiction.” Also read: Italy regulator fines TikTok US$11 million for ‘French scar challenge’ Also read: 72% of Americans oppose the bill to ban TikTok

Key Points

• The European Union has launched an investigation into TikTok’s spin-off app, Lite, over concerns for children’s safety, and has threatened to suspend an “addictive” feature of the app.
• The European Commission said in a statement that it was concerned that the app “could seriously damage the mental health of users, including minors”.
• TikTok said it will continue discussions with the commission and said the rewards programme does not apply to minors.

Related

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Actions

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Author

Jennifer Yu