TikTok Lite was an incentivised reward programme which allowed users to earn coins for their activity. Rewards were on offer for actions such as watching videos or inviting friends to sign up and they could be converted into cash.
The EU weren’t a fan pointing out The Commission was concerned that the TikTok Lite Rewards programme had been launched without a prior diligent assessment of the risks it entails, particularly in relation to the addictive effect of the Rewards programme, and without taking effective risk mitigating measures. The Rewards programme, which may stimulate addictive behaviour, could potentially have negative effects on the physical and mental health of users. This is of particular concern for minors, who may have a heightened sensitivity to such features.
TikTok have agreed to withdraw the app which launched in France and Spain and the European Commission has made TikTok’s commitments to permanently withdraw TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU binding.
The available brain time of young Europeans is not a currency for social media — and it never will be. We have obtained the permanent withdrawal of TikTok Lite Rewards programme, which could have had very addictive consequences. The DSA is in full swing
– Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, European Commission
TikTok have agreed not only to withdraw the app, but also given a commitment not to launch any other programme which would circumvent the withdrawal.
With this decision, the Commission is also closing the formal proceedings opened against TikTok on the 22nd April. Just two days later, on the 24th April TikTok took the decision to voluntary suspend the TikTok Lite Rewards programme in the European Union. Importantly, this brings TikTok into compliance with the Digital Services Act, which aims to protect rights of consumers and give them a safe digital space.
This is the first case the Commission has closed under the Digital Services Act, 105 days after the opening of the proceedings. This is also the first time that the Commission accepts commitments from a Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) against which it had opened formal proceedings under the DSA.
