The EU has threatened to suspend TikTok Lite’s pay-per-view plan over addiction concerns

This photo taken in Paris on April 11, 2024 shows the logo of Chinese social networking app TikTok Lite displayed on the Apple App Store. TikTok, a social network owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, announced on April 10, 2024 that it has launched a new application called TikTok Lite in France and Spain, where users can get paid for watching videos. Users 18 and older can “collect points by discovering new content or completing certain actions,” the social network said.

Kieran Ridley | AFP |

The case, opened by the EU on Monday, comes against ByteDance-owned TikTok and threatens to suspend its newly launched TikTok Lite rewards program, which allows users to earn points by liking content or inviting friends to use the app.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said TikTok must provide a risk assessment report on TikTok Lite within 24 hours or face fines. The social media app has given a deadline of May 3 to provide more requested information.

“Under the Digital Services Act, online platforms have a duty to assess and address any potential risks their users may face,” EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

He added: “As a result, the Commission has opened a case for TikTok to submit an assessment and provide more information on how it protects users from potential risks on the platform.”

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