EU Investigates TikTok Lite For Addictive Features, Considers Temporary Ban

The European Union (EU) has initiated a second formal investigation into TikTok, focusing on the addictive properties of its new app variant, TikTok Lite, which was recently launched in France and Spain. 

The probe, steered by concerns outlined under the region’s Digital Services Act (DSA), targets the app’s “task and reward” system that encourages users to earn points by engaging with content. These points can be redeemed for rewards such as Amazon vouchers and TikTok’s own digital currency, raising alarms over potential addictive behavior in young users.

The European Commission, while not yet confirming any DSA violations by TikTok, hinted at possible interim measures that could include suspending TikTok Lite in the EU during the investigation period. The urgency of these potential actions comes in the wake of TikTok's parent company ByteDance's failure to submit a required risk assessment document concerning the app, an omission that could lead to significant fines including up to one percent of ByteDance's total annual income, with further penalties amounting to five percent of its daily income.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton expressed a stern position on the matter, comparing TikTok Lite’s potential impact to that of light cigarettes and stressing the EU's determination to protect young consumers. This statement came as part of an official announcement about the ongoing scrutiny of the platform’s practices.

This investigation into TikTok Lite adds to the broader concerns addressed by the EU in a previous probe started in February, which examines issues such as the platform's use of addictive algorithms, age verification processes, default privacy settings, and transparency in advertising. The findings of this earlier investigation led ByteDance to implement several changes, including offering users more control over algorithmic suggestions and enhancing content reporting features.

Meanwhile, in the United States, TikTok faces parallel challenges with legislation that could lead to a ban. A bill that could force ByteDance to divest TikTok if not compliant within a year is moving through the legislative process, with the US House of Representatives incorporating this proposal into a recent foreign aid package.