The European Union (EU) is taking a tougher stance on TikTok. In a recent announcement, they opened a second investigation into the video-sharing platform, suspecting violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Focus on TikTok Lite App
This probe specifically targets TikTok Lite, a new version launched in France and Spain. The EU worries about its “task and reward” system, where users earn points for activities like watching videos. These points can be redeemed for prizes, potentially creating an addictive loop for young users.
Concerns About Mental Health
The EU is primarily concerned about the potential negative impact on mental health, particularly for minors. They believe TikTok failed to properly assess these risks before launching the app.
Investigation and Potential Penalties
The EU requested a risk assessment report from TikTok last week, but the company failed to provide it within the 24-hour deadline. This lack of cooperation raises suspicions of a “prima facie infringement” of the DSA.
The DSA lays out penalties for non-compliance. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, could face fines of up to 1% of its global revenue for failing to submit the report on time. Additionally, if the investigation confirms a violation, they could face even steeper fines of up to 6% of their annual turnover.
Interim Measures and Age Verification
The EU is considering taking further action, potentially suspending access to the TikTok Lite app in the EU while the investigation continues. This highlights the bloc’s willingness to take a hard line against platforms perceived to be putting users at risk.
The press release also raises concerns about age verification on TikTok, an issue already under investigation in the first probe launched in February.
TikTok’s Response
While ByteDance hasn’t responded to the latest action, a TikTok spokesperson defended the app, stating that the reward system is unavailable to users under 18 and has daily video watch limits.
EU Committed to User Protection
The EU’s Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, emphasized their commitment to protecting children. He expressed concerns about the potential dangers of excessive screen time and addiction associated with TikTok Lite. The EU will continue its investigation and is prepared to take further action if TikTok doesn’t provide sufficient evidence of the app’s safety.
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