The Tiktok Lite app, which was launched in France and Spain earlier this month, has been suspended by the social media service Tiktok. This decision comes after concerns were raised by the EU Commission about the reward program offered on the app, which aimed to reward users aged 18 and over with points for watching videos, liking content, or following other users. These points could be exchanged for rewards such as Amazon discount coupons or Tiktok virtual coins.
However, the EU Commission had asked Tiktok to provide information on how it had assessed potential risks related to the rewards program, particularly regarding its impact on users’ mental health and addiction to the platform. Despite being given a deadline to provide this information, Tiktok did not meet it, leading to an official investigation under the Digital Services Act. This is the second official procedure against Tiktok under this Act, which requires large online platforms to address issues such as illegal content and disinformation. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to six percent of a company’s global turnover.
In response to these concerns, Tiktok has voluntarily suspended its reward program on the Tiktok Lite app in France and Spain. The company has stated that it is committed to working constructively with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with regulations and address any potential risks associated with its services.