EU questions TikTok’s new Lite app launch in France and Spain

The request is just the first step in the process and does not mean TikTok will face further action (representative)

Brussels:

The European Commission said on Wednesday it had given TikTok 24 hours to conduct a risk assessment of its new Lite app in France and Spain out of concern about its potential impact on children and users’ mental health.

The new rewards app TikTok Lite arrives in both countries this month, allowing users aged 18 and older to earn points that can be redeemed for items such as coupons or gift cards.

The committee said TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, should conduct a risk assessment before deploying the app and now wants “more details”.

The request “relates to the potential impact of the new ‘Tasks and Rewards Lite’ program on the protection of minors as well as the mental health of users, particularly in relation to the potential stimulation of addictive behaviours,” the statement said.

The committee said in a statement that it also wanted to know what steps the platform had taken to mitigate the identified risks.

The information request was made under a new content moderation law called the Digital Services Act (DSA), which sets strict rules for 22 of the world’s largest online platforms, including TikTok.

The request is just the first step in the process and does not mean TikTok will face further action. This will depend on what information the company provides to the EU.

In addition to the 24-hour deadline for the risk assessment, TikTok must provide additional information by April 26, the committee said.

The company said it would honor the request.

A TikTok spokesperson said: “We have contacted the commission directly about the product and will respond to requests for information.”

This is not the first time TikTok has been targeted by the EU.

In February this year, Brussels launched a formal investigation into TikTok under the DSA, accusing it of violating its obligations to protect minors online.

It looks specifically at whether companies are doing enough to address negative impacts on young people.

The commission has made similar information requests to TikTok on other issues, including the risks posed by artificial intelligence to the upcoming EU elections in June.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)