Commission sends request for information regarding the launch of TikTok Lite in France & Spain

TikTok Lite is a new app targeted at users aged 18 and over, featuring a Reward Program. This program allows users to earn points by engaging in activities on the app such as watching videos, liking content, following creators, and inviting friends to join TikTok. The points can be redeemed for rewards like Amazon vouchers, gift cards via PayPal, or TikTok's own coins currency, which can be used to tip creators. TikTok Lite was launched in France and Spain in April 2024.

The European Commission sent a request for information to TikTok under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to obtain more details about the risk assessment TikTok should have conducted prior to the launch of TikTok Lite in the EU. The Commission is particularly concerned about the potential impact of the 'Task and Reward Lite' program on the protection of minors and the mental health of users, including the possibility of stimulating addictive behavior. They are also inquiring about the measures TikTok has implemented to mitigate such systemic risks.

If TikTok provides incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information in response to the Commission's request, the company could face fines. This is stipulated in Article 74 (2) of the DSA, which allows the Commission to impose penalties for such infractions in the context of a request for information.

In February 2024, the European Commission opened formal proceedings against TikTok to assess potential breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The concerns include issues related to the protection of minors, advertising transparency, data access for researchers, as well as the management of risks associated with addictive design and harmful content.