The EU has announced it will ban a new service launched by TikTok in Europe, which it believes could be “as addictive as cigarettes” unless the company offers “unshakable” new evidence to protect children.
If the ban goes ahead, it will be the first time the EU has used its powers to sanction social media companies since the landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) came into force last August.
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The Commission has given TikTok until Wednesday to “put forward arguments in its defence, which the Commission will carefully assess”, before making a final decision on enforcement measures.
Digital Policy Commissioner Thierry Breton said the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform “failed to demonstrate” that TikTok Lite, which rewards users for watching clips, complies with its obligations under the law, calling the service ” toxic”.
TikTok is causing problems for children, EU says
The commission said the reward feature could be suspended on the block if TikTok did not satisfactorily respond to regulators’ concerns about the impact on users’ mental health.
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Breton pointed out that the app was launched in France and Spain this month despite an ongoing DSA investigation into the company, launched in February, over other child protection concerns. He said that TikTok is used by millions of children in Europe.
The new watch-and-get-rewarded app offers users prizes such as Amazon vouchers, PayPal gift certificates or TikTok ‘Coins’ for points earned through ‘tasks’, which include watching videos, liking content, following creators or inviting friends to join.
TikTok Lite ‘as addictive as cigarettes’
Breton told reporters that TikTok Lite “could be toxic and addictive like cigarettes.” He said that while TikTok’s main app offers users “fun and a sense of connection,” it “also comes with significant risks for our children: addiction, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, low attention.”
TikTok was given a 24-hour deadline last week to provide a risk assessment of its new Lite service amid concerns it could encourage children to become addicted to watching videos.
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On Monday, the Commission said it had not received satisfactory responses from TikTok on anti-addiction safeguards, despite the fact that it was already under investigation in relation to other child protection concerns.
“While this first case is ongoing, TikTok has chosen to launch TikTok Lite, which […] it creates financial incentives to spend more time on your phone,” he said.
Breton wrote to X: “If TikTok fails to provide convincing evidence of security, which it has not done now, we are prepared to trigger the DSA’s interim measures, including the suspension of the TikTok Lite ‘reward program’.”
It is recalled that TikTok is even facing a total ban in the US.
