European Commission Gives TikTok 24 Hours to Respond
BRUSSELS — In a move that has raised eyebrows across Europe, TikTok has been put on the clock by the European Commission. The reason? A new version of the app that pays users for watching videos.
This week, TikTok Lite made its debut in France and Spain, prompting European Commissioner Thierry Breton to draw parallels between the app and “light” cigarettes, questioning its potential addictive and toxic nature.
TikTok, in a statement, has assured that it will provide a response to the Commission’s inquiry, although it has clarified that there are no immediate plans to launch the Lite app in other European countries.
The Lite version of TikTok offers a streamlined experience, with its Task & Rewards feature compensating users with a small monetary reward for engaging with content on the platform.
The European Commission has demanded insights into the risk assessment conducted by TikTok prior to the introduction of this feature, expressing concerns about its impact on children, mental health, and addiction.
Specifically, the Commission is seeking information on the measures implemented by TikTok to address these potential risks, setting a deadline of April 26 for a comprehensive response.
Under the Task & Rewards feature, users can earn coins by completing various tasks, such as watching, liking, or sharing videos. TikTok has capped the daily screen time eligible for rewards at one hour, with users able to earn up to €1 (£0.85) per day.
Additionally, users must verify their age as over 18 to participate in the rewards system. Le Monde, a French newspaper, highlighted that rewards are only available for videos recommended by TikTok’s algorithm, not for user-initiated searches.
Describing the feature as akin to a video game that incentivizes continued engagement, the newspaper noted how users are directed to content selected by the app to earn rewards.
With the EU’s Digital Services Act granting more authority to regulate tech giants, the Commission’s scrutiny of TikTok falls under these new regulations. This follows the formal investigation launched against the social media platform in February over alleged breaches related to data protection, child safety, and content moderation.
TikTok has pledged to collaborate with the investigation and collaborate with online safety experts to address the Commission’s concerns. — BBC
