ByteDance’s TikTok has agreed to permanently remove its TikTok Lite rewards program from the European Union (EU) to adhere to the Digital Services Act (DSA), as announced by the European Commission. This rewards program, available through TikTok Lite, allowed users to accumulate points by performing activities such as watching videos and inviting friends to join the platform.
In April, the European Union requested a risk assessment from TikTok regarding this app, which had recently been launched in France and Spain. The EU raised concerns about the potential negative effects of the rewards program on children and users’ mental health. The Digital Services Act mandates that major online platforms must report any potential risks associated with new features to the EU before they are introduced. Furthermore, these platforms are required to implement measures to mitigate these risks.
TikTok has committed to withdrawing the rewards program from the EU on a legally binding basis and has agreed not to introduce any similar program that could circumvent this decision. Failure to adhere to these commitments would constitute a violation of the DSA and could result in financial penalties. Additionally, an ongoing investigation is examining whether TikTok has violated online content regulations designed to protect children and ensure transparency in advertising. This investigation could potentially lead to further sanctions against the platform.
