Proceedings due to the risk of addiction
TikTok’s new reward function alarms the EU Commission
April 22, 2024, 4:46 p.m
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Watch videos, collect points and exchange them for vouchers: Since the beginning of April, TikTok has been attracting new users with a reward function in its Lite app. In Europe it is currently only available in France and Spain, but the EU sees a high potential for addiction – and could soon put a stop to the whole thing.
Because of the possible risk of addiction for minors, the EU Commission has threatened the video platform TikTok with blocking its new rewards function. Brussels said it opened proceedings against TikTok because of the “risk of serious harm to the mental health of users”. The agency could suspend the new feature this week.
The video platform introduced the new “TikTok Lite” app in April; in Europe it is currently available in France and Spain. The version contains a points system: Anyone who registers, watches videos for several hours or invites friends to TikTok will be rewarded with digital coins. The points can be exchanged for small amounts in the form of vouchers, for example for the online retailer Amazon.
TikTok remains within 24 hours
Despite the risks associated with its addictive effects, TikTok launched the new function “without effective risk reduction measures,” the EU Commission said. Brussels is ready to impose “measures including the suspension of TikTok Lite functions,” said EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton.
TikTok now has one day to respond to the allegations from Brussels. If the company does not provide the requested information, it will face penalties of up to one percent of its global annual turnover as early as Tuesday. From Thursday, the EU Commission could block the controversial function, and TikTok would then only be able to bring the app onto the EU market without the points system.
Online services such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook are obliged under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) to better protect minors and delete content such as depictions of violence or misinformation more quickly. Proceedings are already underway against TikTok due to possible addiction risks for minors on its standard platform.