- App version Tiktok Lite will no longer be available in the EU
TikTok users in the European Union will no longer be able to use certain criticized features of the TikTok Lite app version in the future. Following a procedure by the EU Commission against the Chinese company, it has committed to permanently withdrawing "the TikTok Lite reward program" from the EU, the Brussels authority announced. Furthermore, TikTok has assured that it will not introduce any other program that could circumvent this. The procedure against the online platform has therefore been closed.
A commission official emphasized that this was the best result they could have achieved. Because the greatest impact the EU law on digital services (Digital Services Act, DSA) can have is to make a company withdraw its steps if it realizes that something does not comply with EU rules.
Concerns about addiction risk from reward program
The "Lite" version of the TikTok app had only been introduced in Europe in France and Spain. Shortly thereafter, the EU Commission announced that it would examine whether the company was endangering the mental health of minors and violating EU rules with it. The task and reward program was particularly concerning. This allowed users to earn points by performing certain tasks, such as watching videos or positively evaluating ("liking") content. This could be addictive and was particularly worrying for children, as it was not clear that the age of the users was effectively verified. TikTok then temporarily suspended the function.
"The available brain time of young Europeans is not a currency for social media - and never will be," wrote the responsible EU Commissioner Thierry Breton on X. "We have achieved the permanent shutdown of the TikTok Lite reward program, which could have led to a strong addiction risk."
TikTok emphasized that it is always striving for a constructive dialogue with the European Commission and other regulatory authorities. It is pleased to have now reached an agreement, a spokesperson said on request.
Online platforms are obliged by a new EU law on digital services (DSA) to strictly combat illegal content such as hate speech and incitement on the net. Moreover, minors should be particularly protected.
The decision to permanently withdraw the TikTok Lite reward program is a testament to the EU's Digital Services Act's (DSA) influence, as it encourages companies to align their practices with EU regulations to avoid withdrawing their services. The issue with the reward program on TikTok Lite, which was available in some EU countries, raised concerns about the potential for addiction among minors due to its task and point system.
