TikTok has committed to permanently withdrawing its TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the European Union (EU) following a decision by the European Commission (EC).
According to the EC, this decision resolves the formal proceedings initiated on 22 April 2024 to ensure compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The EC has made TikTok’s commitment legally binding, meaning any breach could result in fines.
The social media platform has pledged not only to end the programme but also to avoid introducing any similar programme that might circumvent this decision. This marks the first closure of formal proceedings under the DSA, 105 days after their initiation, and the first time the EC has accepted commitments from an online platform under the DSA.
The EC raised concerns about the “Task and Reward Program” of TikTok Lite, which allowed users to earn points for activities such as watching videos, liking content, following creators, and inviting friends.
The regulator stated that this programme was launched without a thorough risk assessment, particularly regarding its potential addictive effects. The lack of effective risk mitigation measures, and the suspected absence of adequate age verification mechanisms, raised particular concerns for minors.
The EC will monitor TikTok’s compliance with these commitments. Formal proceedings against the app, which began on 19 February 2024, remain open.
EC Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager said: “The safety and well-being of social media users need to be a number one priority. Design features on platforms with addictive effects put the well-being of their users at risk.
“That’s why we have made TikTok’s commitments under the DSA legally binding. We will carefully monitor TikTok’s compliance. Today’s decision also sends a clear message to the entire social media industry.”
In the US, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, last week. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok failed to safeguard children’s privacy on its platform.
The US government claims that TikTok violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which mandates that services directed at children must obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from users under the age of 13.
The DSA and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) aim to enhance digital safety and fairness across the EU, providing a unified set of rules applicable throughout the region. The main goals are to protect users’ fundamental rights and to create a level playing field for businesses, fostering innovation, growth, and competitiveness in both the European Single Market and globally.
In late July 2024, the EC launched a call for evidence to gather feedback for upcoming guidelines on protecting minors online. These guidelines will advise on implementing high levels of privacy, safety, and security for minors, as required by the DSA.
The EC is seeking feedback on the proposed scope, approach, and good practices related to online risks for minors.
