TikTok Lite May Face EU Suspension Over Addiction Concerns: All You Need To Know

TikTok introduced TikTok Lite in France and Spain earlier this month without the prerequisite risk assessment report mandated under the DSA.

TikTok Lite includes a feature allowing users to earn points through various activities.

The European Commission announced on Monday that it has initiated an investigation into TikTok Lite's recent launch in France and Spain, citing potential risks associated with the app's addictive qualities, particularly among children. As reported by Reuters, the Commission might suspend the app’s reward program under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) unless TikTok can demonstrate the platform's safety by Thursday.

The DSA mandates that major online services intensify their efforts to combat harmful and illegal content. Failure to comply could result in penalties amounting to up to 6 per cent of the violator's global annual revenue. 

TikTok Asked To Provide Proof Of Safety

EU industry chief Thierry Breton highlighted the urgency of the matter, stating, “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."

TikTok, owned by the Chinese conglomerate ByteDance, has until Wednesday to present its case to the Commission, which will then decide on the implementation of the suspension. Reacting to the scrutiny, TikTok expressed its disappointment with the Commission's decision and noted, "The TikTok Lite rewards hub is not available to under 18s, and there is a daily limit on video watch tasks. We will continue discussions with the Commission."

May 3 Deadline For TikTok

Additionally, the Commission has mandated that TikTok submit a risk assessment report for TikTok Lite within 24 hours to avoid a fine of up to 1 per cent of its global annual turnover. TikTok has a deadline of May 3 to furnish other requested details.

TikTok introduced TikTok Lite in the two European countries earlier this month without the prerequisite risk assessment report mandated under the DSA. The app includes a feature allowing users to earn points through various activities like watching videos, liking content, and inviting friends, which has raised concerns about its potential to cause addiction.

This is not TikTok’s first encounter with regulatory issues under the DSA, as it has already been under investigation since February for possible violations related to child protection and advertising transparency.