The Tiktok Lite app was launched earlier this month in France and Spain. The EU Commission is now demanding an explanation of what kind of risk assessment Tiktok has done before launching the application.
Chinese social media service Tiktok has released a version of its app in France and Spain that rewards users for watching videos.
The application called Tiktok Lite, released this month, includes a reward program aimed at users over 18 years old, through which users can earn points by completing various tasks on the platform, according to the news agencies AFP and Reuters, among others.
Points can be earned, for example, by watching videos, liking content or following other users.
Earned points can be exchanged, for example, for discount coupons from the online store Amazon, gift cards through the payment intermediary company Paypal, or virtual coins from Tiktok. For example, you can use Tiktok money to buy virtual gifts for other users.
French media Le Monde according to each user, a daily goal of 3,600 points has been set. According to the magazine, 3,600 points equals 36 cents, and you can reach the number of points by consuming new content for an hour.
Now The EU is concerned about Tiktok's reward program and its effects on children and the mental health of the platform's users.
EU Commission announced on Wednesday that he requested information from Tiktok within a day about how the company has assessed the risks possibly related to Tiktok Lite. The Commission's demand specifically concerns a risk assessment of what effects the reward program may have on users' mental health, addiction to the application and the protection of minors on the platform.
According to the commission, Tiktok should have done a risk assessment before launching a new application in the EU.
Commissioner responsible for the EU internal market Thierry Breton compared on Wednesday message service in X Tiktok Lite for light cigarettes.
“Is the 'lite' version of social media as addictive and toxic as 'light' cigarettes?” the commissioner asked in the same publication where he reported on the request for information.
According to Reuters, Tiktok announced that it would comply with the request for information and that it had already been in direct contact with the commission.
Commission made a request for information based on the EU digital services regulation. The Digital Services Act obliges large online platforms to, among other things, combat the spread of illegal content, online disinformation and other social risks.
In February, the commission started an official investigation into whether Tiktok has violated the provisions of the recent digital services act. The commission said that it will investigate in particular whether Tiktok's actions are sufficient to combat the negative effects on young people.
Violation of the digital services regulation can result in a fine, which can be a maximum of six percent of the company's global turnover.
The commission's request for information on Wednesday does not yet mean that Tiktok will be subject to a new official investigation. Further actions depend on the company's response, the release states.
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