LONDON (AP) — The European Union on Monday demanded that TikTok provide more information about a new app that pays users to watch videos and warned it could order the platform to discontinue addictive features that pose a risk to children.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said it had opened a formal procedure to determine whether TikTok Lite violated the 27-nation bloc’s new digital rules when it launched in France and Spain.
Brussels increased pressure on TikTok after the company did not respond last week to a request for information about whether the new app complies with the Digital Services Law, which came into force last year with the intention of cleaning up social networks.
TikTok Lite is a simplified version of the main TikTok app that allows users to earn rewards. Points earned by watching videos, liking and following content creators can be redeemed for rewards including Amazon vouchers and PayPal.
The Commission wants to see the risk assessment that TikTok had to carry out before launching the app in the EU. He fears TikTok launched the app without evaluating how to mitigate “potential systemic risks,” such as addictive design features that could affect children.
TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company indicated last week that it will respond to the Commission’s request and noted that the rewards are restricted to users over 18 years of age, who must confirm their age.
“With an endless stream of short, fast-paced videos, TikTok offers fun and a sense of connection beyond your immediate circle,” said European Commissioner Thierry Breton, one of the officials leading the bloc’s initiative to rein in large technology companies. “But it also carries considerable risks, especially for our children: Addiction, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and short attention spans.”
The EU gave TikTok 24 hours to deliver the risk assessment and until Wednesday to defend its case. Any order to suspend TikTok Lite features could come as soon as Thursday.
It is the first time the EU has issued a legally binding order for such information since the Digital Services Act came into force. Officials increased the pressure after TikTok did not respond to last week’s request for information.
If TikTok does not respond, it faces fines of up to 1% of the company’s total annual revenue or global turnover and “periodic penalties” of up to 5% of daily revenue or global turnover.
