As early as coming Thursday, the European Commission could stop the TikTok Lite rewards programme, which rewards users for using the app.
The feature is “toxic and addictive,” said Commissioner Thierry Breton, especially when utilised by young users.
The rewards programme on TikTok has until this Wednesday was to be justified, failing which it may be stopped as early as this Thursday, April 25.
The company voiced their disappointment with the decision .
European Commissioner Thierry Breton wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “We stand ready to trigger… interim measures including the suspension of the TikTok Lite reward programme.”
Furthermore, in order to find out if the social media business is in breach of EU law, the Commission has initiated official proceedings against it.
Large platforms like The company are obligated by EU regulation, which went into effect last year, to compile a risk assessment before making major changes to their products.
The social media company claims that The company did not submit its risk assessment for the Task & Rewards programme by the due date, despite the Commission’s request for it last week.
According to the system, “serious damage for the mental health of users” is possible.
What is TikTok Lite?
Last week, the company had introduced its “Task and Rewards” initiative in France and Spain.
It is a new feature on its Lite, an optimised version of the popular social media app that takes up less phone storage and usage.
By watching videos and using the app, users can earn the equivalent of a few pennies per day under the plan.
Due to the new feature that “stirs addictive behaviour,” the Commission is looking into whether this could have a harmful impact on users’ mental health, including children’s.
Only people above the age of 18 are eligible for incentives, according to TikTok, and mechanisms are in place to confirm their age.
However, the “lack of effective age verification mechanisms” is what the Commission is concerned about.
As yet, TikTok has no plans to launch the feature beyond the borders of France and Spain.It is also available in particular southeast Asian nations.
This is the EU’s second official examine into TikTok.
The Commission began official proceedings against the social media firm in February, with the goal of determining if it had violated regulations concerning data protection, child protection, and the surveillance of inappropriate material.
TikTok said at the time that it would keep working with internet safety experts and assist with the investigation.
Businesses who violate the EU’s Digital Services Act may face fines of up to 6% of their worldwide sales.
A spokesperson for TikTok expressed disappointment with the decision to restrict access to the TikTok Lite rewards centre to those above the age of 18, as well as the daily cap on video watch tasks, in a statement to the BBC. We will carry on the conversation with the EU.
