TikTok has recently made the decision to suspend its Lite app, which offered users rewards for watching videos or recommending other users. The app was launched as a test in Spain and France and faced scrutiny from the European Commission due to concerns about minors accessing it and becoming addicted to it.
The suspension of the Lite app is currently set for 60 days, but could be extended as discussions with the European Commission continue. TikTok stated that their decision to suspend the app was voluntary, in order to address these concerns raised by the commission. The commission had given TikTok a deadline to provide evidence that would assuage their fears about the addictive nature of the Lite app, particularly for children.
In addition to facing challenges in Europe, TikTok is also facing issues in the United States. 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.
Despite being marketed as an adult-oriented platform, there are loopholes that allow minors to easily access TikTok’s Lite app. This has led the European Commission to raise concerns about age verification measures and potential risks of addiction, particularly for children.
Overall, this suspension highlights the regulatory challenges that TikTok is facing in terms of compliance and user safety and privacy concerns. In order to move forward, 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.
