On April 10, 2024, the Chinese social network TikTok Lite made an entry into the French and Spanish markets. This new application allows users to earn money by watching videos. Users who are 18 years and above can accumulate points by engaging with new content or completing specific tasks within the app. The parent company behind TikTok Lite, ByteDance, introduced the rewards program as a way to incentivize user activity on the platform.

The European Union has taken issue with TikTok Lite’s rewards program. The European Commission initiated proceedings against ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, and issued a warning to potentially suspend the TikTok Lite rewards program. This feature allows users to earn points by interacting with content, such as liking videos or inviting friends to join the app. The EU executive branch gave TikTok a strict deadline of 24 hours to provide a risk assessment report for TikTok Lite. Failure to comply with the EU’s demands could result in fines for the social media platform.

In response to the EU’s actions, Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s antitrust chief, emphasized the responsibility that online platforms have in ensuring the safety and well-being of their users. Under the Digital Services Act, platforms like TikTok are obligated to assess and mitigate any potential risks that users may encounter while using their services. The opening of a compliance case against TikTok signals the EU’s commitment to holding tech companies accountable for protecting their user base. TikTok has until May 3 to provide additional information as requested by the European Commission.

This development serves as a reminder of the evolving regulatory landscape that technology companies operate in. Stay tuned for further updates on this matter as it unfolds.