EU launches probe, threatens to suspend TikTok Lite app’s ‘addictive’ rewards

TikTok Lite arrived in France and Spain in March allowing users aged 18 and over to earn points that can be exchanged for goods like vouchers or gift cards

TikTok last week failed to submit to the European Commission a risk assessment for the spin-off app by an April 18 deadline, and now has to do so by Tuesday

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Published: 11:15pm, 22 Apr 2024Updated: 11:54pm, 22 Apr 2024

The European Union on Monday launched a probe into TikTok’s spin-off Lite app and threatened to suspend an “addictive” feature on it that rewards users for watching and liking videos, amid child-safety concerns.

TikTok Lite arrived in France and Spain in March allowing users aged 18 and over to earn points that can be exchanged for goods like vouchers or gift cards through the app’s rewards programme.

The European Commission said in a statement it has concerns about the app’s “risks of serious damage for the mental health of users”, including minors.

TikTok Lite is a smaller version of the popular TikTok app, taking up less memory in a smartphone and made to perform over slower internet connections.

A person arrives at the offices of TikTok in Culver City, California. The European Commission has concerns about the TikTok Lite’s “risks of serious damage for the mental health of users”. Photo: Reuters

TikTok last week failed to provide a risk assessment for the spin-off app by an April 18 deadline, the commission said, demanding the company now hand it over by Tuesday.