Trends
EU warns TikTok Lite with its addictive feature
The European Union has launched a probe on TikTok spinoff app—TikTok Lite, which may have risks of damage to the mental health of users.
Headline
The European Union has launched a probe on TikTok spinoff app—TikTok Lite, which may have risks of damage to the mental health of users.
Context
The European Union has opened an investigation into the TikTok spinoff app , Lite, amid concerns about child safety, and threatened to remove an “addictive” feature that rewards users for watching and liking videos. The EU is looking into TikTok by the Digital Services Act (DSA), a new law that requires digital companies to take more steps to regulate content on the internet. According to the law, the EU has the authority to fine businesses heavily—up to 6% of a digital firm’s annual global revenues.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
The European Commission expressed concern about the app’s “risks of serious damage for the mental health of users,” including children, in a statement released on Monday. Thierry Breton, the chief tech enforcer for the European Commission, stated that they believe TikTok Lite may be as harmful and addictive as light cigarettes. Additionally, the commission questioned TikTok regarding the steps it had taken to reduce “systemic risks” in its Lite app, giving the company until May 3 to reply. The European Commission said that TikTok missed the deadline of April 18 to submit a risk assessment for the spinoff app. As a result, the commission is requesting that the company submit the assessment by Tuesday.
Key Points
- The European Union has launched a probe on TikTok Lite, a TikTok spinoff app, which is regarded it having risks of serious damage to the mental health of users including minors.
- TikTok Lite is a smaller version of the popular TikTok app, and users can earn points that can be exchanged for goods like vouchers or gift cards through the app’s rewards programme.
- The Digital Services Act (DSA), a new law gives the EU the power to slap companies with heavy fines that could be as high as 6% of a digital firm’s global annual revenues.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
