EU Could Suspend TikTok Lite Due to Addiction Issues
TikTok Lite
Earlier this month, TikTok launched TikTok Lite in France and Spain without first submitting the required risk assessment study as required by the DSA.
The European Commission declared on Monday that it has opened an inquiry into the recent French and Spanish release of TikTok Lite, noting possible dangers related to the addictive nature of the app, especially for younger users. According to Reuters, if TikTok cannot prove the platform is safe by this Thursday, the Commission may stop the app’s incentive program in accordance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
Major online services are required by the DSA to step up their efforts to thwart unlawful and harmful content. Penalties for noncompliance might reach 6% of the offending party’s yearly worldwide income.
TikTok Asked To Provide Proof Of Safety
“Unless TikTok provides compelling proof of its safety, which it has failed to do thus far, we stand ready to trigger DSA interim measures including the suspension of TikTok Lite feature which we suspect could generate addiction,” EU industry chief Thierry Breton said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The Chinese giant ByteDance owns TikTok. It has until Wednesday to make its case before the Commission, which will then choose whether to carry out the suspension. In response to the criticism, TikTok stated that it was disappointed with the Commission’s ruling and added, “There is a daily cap on video watch tasks, and the TikTok Lite rewards area is not accessible to those under the age of 18. We will carry on our conversation with the Commission.
May 3 Deadline For TikTok
Furthermore, in order to avoid a fine of up to 1% of its global annual revenue, the Commission has demanded that TikTok provide a risk assessment study for TikTok Lite within 24 hours. TikTok has until May 3rd to provide the additional information that is needed.
WHATSAPP BUSINESS WILL ALLOW USERS TO DIRECTLY ADD MESSAGES TO NOTES
Earlier this month, TikTok launched TikTok Lite in the two European nations without first submitting the required risk assessment study as required by the DSA. There are worries over the app’s potential for addiction because of a feature that lets users earn points for doing things like watching movies, liking posts, and adding friends.
TikTok has already been the subject of an inquiry since February for potential infractions pertaining to child protection and advertising transparency, so this is not the company’s first run-in with DSA regulations.
