TikTok has suspended its Lite app, which paid users to watch videos or recommend other users, after the European Commission threatened to block it if it did not provide guarantees that minors would not access it or become addicted to it. The app was launched as a test in Spain and France. The suspension, currently for 60 days, could be extended as conversations with the European Commission continue.
TikTok stated that their decision to suspend the Lite app was voluntary in order to address concerns raised by the European Commission about the addictive nature of the app, particularly for children. The Commission had given TikTok a deadline to provide arguments in response to their concerns about user safety and privacy.
In addition to the issues with the Lite app in Europe, TikTok is facing challenges in the United States as well. President Joe Biden signed a law giving ByteDance, which owns TikTok, nine months to sell the app or face a ban in the country. The concerns in the US revolve around potential Chinese government influence and data privacy issues.
The Lite app was designed to provide rewards to users for engaging with the platform, with the goal of attracting more adult users to TikTok. However, there are loopholes that could allow minors to access it despite TikTok’s assertion that it is targeted at adults. Despite these challenges, TikTok will need to work closely with regulatory authorities in both Europe and America to ensure that its platforms are safe and appropriate for all users.
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