TikTok commits to permanently withdraw TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU to comply with the Digital Services Act
Today, the Commission has made TikTok’s commitments to permanently withdraw TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU binding. These commitments have been submitted by TikTok to address the concerns raised by the Commission in the formal proceedings opened against TikTok on 22 April and ensure compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The platform has made the following commitments:
A commitment to withdraw the TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU, permanently;
· A commitment not to launch any other programme which would circumvent the withdrawal.
Today’s decision makes these commitments legally binding, meaning that any breach of the commitments would immediately amount to a breach of the DSA and could therefore lead to fines. With this decision, the Commission is also closing the formal proceedings opened against TikTok on 22 April.
This is the first case the Commissio
n closes under the DSA, 105 days after the opening of the proceedings. This is also the first time that the Commission accepts commitments from a designated online platform against which it had opened formal proceedings under the DSA.
Next Steps
The Commission will carefully monitor TikTok’s compliance with the binding commitments the platform has offered under article 71 of the DSA, as well as with its other obligations under the DSA.
The Commission’s first formal proceedings against TikTok, which were launched on 19 February, remain open and the investigation continues.
Background
TikTok Lite is a new separate version of the TikTok app. Following its launch in Spain and France in April 2024, the Commission expressed concerns regarding the TikTok Lite Rewards programme, which allowed users to earn points while performing certain ‘Tasks’ on TikTok Lite, such as watching videos, liking content, following creators, inviting friends to join TikTok, etc.
The Commission was concerned that the TikTok Lite Rew
ards programme had been launched without a prior diligent assessment of the risks it entails, particularly in relation to the addictive effect of the Rewards programme, and without taking effective risk mitigating measures. The Rewards programme, which may stimulate addictive behaviour, could potentially have negative effects on the physical and mental health of users. This is of particular concern for minors, who may have a heightened sensitivity to such features.
Under the DSA, Very Large Online Platforms are required to perform a risk assessment and submit a report to the Commission’s services prior to launching any new functionalities that are likely to have a critical impact on systemic risks. They also have to adopt effective mitigating measures to address identified risks.
As TikTok failed to provide a risk assessment report in relation to the launch of TikTok Lite, the Commission adopted a decision on 22 April to initiate formal proceedings against TikTok and warned TikTok of its intention to suspen
d the TikTok Lite Rewards programme in the EU. On 24 April, the Commission took note of TikTok’s decision to voluntary suspend the TikTok Lite Rewards programme in the European Union.
Currently there are formal proceedings open under the DSA against X (from December 2023, for which preliminary findings were issued on 12 July 2024), TikTok (February 2024), AliExpress (March 2024), and Meta (April and May 2024).
For More Information
Summary note of the TikTok Lite opening decision
The enforcement framework under the Digital Services Act
Digital Services Act – Questions and Answers
Quote(s)
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.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-Presi
dent for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age
The available brain time of young Europeans is not a currency for social media – and it never will be. We have obtained the permanent withdrawal of TikTok Lite Rewards programme, which could have had very addictive consequences. The DSA is in full swing.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market
Related topics
Digital Economy and Society
Europe Fit for Digital Age
Print friendly pdf
TikTok commits to permanently withdraw TikTok Lite Rewards
English
46.289, kB – PDF
Download
Contacts for media
Thomas Regnier
Spokesperson
Phone
+32 2 29 9 1099
thomas.regnier@ec.europa.eu
Patricia Poropat
Press Officer
Phone
+32 2 298 04 85
patricia.poropat@ec.europa.eu
During the weeks of summer, the Midday Briefing is held on a biweekly basis – on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Spokesperson´s Service remains available to reply to your questions every day.
The SPP uses a hybrid system for its press events. Accreditation is required. More informatio
n here.
The European Commission is committed to personal data protection. Any personal data is processed in line with Regulation (EC) 2018/1725. All personal information processed by the Directorate-General for Communication / European Commission Representations is treated accordingly. If you do not work for a media organisation, you are welcome to contact the EU through Europe Direct in writing or by calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11.
Source : Cyprus News Agency