TikTok Faces Potential Ban in Europe over Addictive Rewards Feature

The European Commission has given TikTok a deadline of Wednesday to respond to demands regarding its new TikTok Lite application. The investigation concerns the app’s rewards feature, which allows users to earn points for various actions on the platform.

The Commission suspects that this feature may be addictive, especially for children. If TikTok fails to provide convincing evidence of the security of the feature, the Commission threatens to ban the rewards program. The Digital Services Act allows the EU to fine companies for non-compliance, with TikTok facing a potential 1% fine if they do not provide the necessary information by the deadline.

TikTok Lite is an alternative version of the original app, designed for minimal resource usage and compatibility with low-power devices. However, despite this designation, TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, has emphasized that it is not a Chinese company, as it is registered in the Cayman Islands.

This investigation follows a previous probe into TikTok’s compliance with digital market regulations, particularly in relation to the protection of underage users. The company has responded that the rewards feature is not available to users under 18 and has daily limits on point-earning activities. The outcome of this investigation will determine whether TikTok Lite’s rewards program will be banned in the European market.