This {photograph} taken on April 11, 2024, in Paris, exhibits the brand of the Chinese language social community utility TikTok Lite displayed in Apple’s App Retailer. The social community TikTok, owned by the Chinese language firm ByteDance, has launched a brand new utility in France and Spain, referred to as TikTok Lite, which permits its customers to receives a commission by watching movies, it introduced on April 10, 2024. Customers aged 18 or older can “accumulate factors by discovering new content material or finishing sure actions,” the social community mentioned.
Kiran Ridley | Afp | Getty Photos
The European Union on Monday opened proceedings towards ByteDance’s TikTok and threatened to droop its newly launched TikTok Lite rewards program, the place customers can earn factors for liking content material or inviting associates to the app.
The European Fee, the EU’s govt arm, mentioned TikTok had 24 hours to supply a danger evaluation report for TikTok Lite or face fines. The social media app was given till Could 3 to supply additional requested info.
The fee mentioned it was involved TikTok Lite’s “Process and Reward Program” had been launched “with out prior diligent evaluation of the dangers it entails, specifically these associated to the addictive impact of the platforms.”
Youngsters are considered in danger given the suspected absence of efficient age verification mechanisms on TikTok, the EU mentioned.
A spokesperson for TikTok advised CNBC that the agency was “disillusioned” with the choice.
“The TikTok Lite rewards hub just isn’t out there to below 18s, and there’s a each day restrict on video watch duties. We’ll proceed discussions with the Fee,” they added.
The probe represents the second formal proceedings the EU has launched towards the social media firm. In February, the EU introduced it was investigating whether or not TikTok had damaged guidelines regarding the safety of minors, promoting transparency, and the chance administration of addictive design and dangerous content material.
“Beneath the Digital Companies Act, on-line platforms have the duty to evaluate and deal with any potential dangers their customers could face,” EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager mentioned in an announcement.
“So, the Fee has opened a compliance case that urges TikTok to submit an evaluation and supply extra info on how it’s defending its customers from potential dangers on their platform,” she added.
What’s TikTok Lite?
TikTok Lite, which was launched in France and Spain this month, is a brand new app with a performance aimed toward customers aged 18 years and older.
The app’s rewards program permits customers to earn factors whereas performing sure duties, resembling watching movies or following creators. These factors can then be exchanged for rewards, resembling reward playing cards or Amazon vouchers.
Beneath the phrases of the EU’s sweeping Digital Companies Act, corporations with greater than 45 million common energetic customers within the bloc are labeled as very giant on-line platforms and should adjust to stringent guidelines to combat unlawful and dangerous content material on their platforms.
“Limitless streams of brief and fast-paced movies may very well be seen as enjoyable, but additionally expose our kids to dangers of dependancy, nervousness, despair, consuming issues, low consideration spans,” EU trade chief Thierry Breton mentioned in an announcement.
“With our first DSA non-compliance case towards TikTok nonetheless ongoing, the corporate has launched TikTok Lite which financially rewards additional display time. We suspect TikTok ‘Lite’ may very well be as poisonous and addictive as cigarettes ‘mild,'” Breton mentioned.
“Except TikTok supplies compelling proof of its security, which it has did not do till now, we stand able to set off DSA interim measures together with the suspension of TikTok Lite function which we suspect might generate dependancy.”
Correction: TikTok Lite was launched in France and Spain this month. An earlier model misstated the timing.
