EU Scrutinizes TikTok Lite Under Digital Services Act
The social media landscape continues to evolve with TikTok at the forefront, not only with its flagship platform but also through additional offerings such as the TikTok Notes app. In a move to cater to users with limited device storage and slower internet connections, TikTok has introduced TikTok Lite, a streamlined variant of the main application. However, this new iteration has caught the attention of the European Union, which is now calling for a comprehensive risk assessment from the ByteDance-owned company.
TikTok Lite is engineered to be a lightweight alternative to the full-sized app, which can be nearly a gigabyte in size. This can be a significant burden for users with devices that have less than 64GB of storage or those in regions with subpar internet connectivity. By minimizing data and storage requirements, TikTok Lite promises to deliver the platform’s experience to a broader audience without the associated digital overhead.
Despite the apparent benefits, the EU’s interest in TikTok Lite stems from the broader implications of the Digital Services Act (DSA), with a particular focus on the app’s safety for children. The DSA aims to protect minors from exposure to harmful content, and TikTok has been given a 24-hour window to present its findings on the potential risks associated with TikTok Lite.
Of particular concern to EU officials is the ‘Task and Reward Lite’ program within the app, which incentivizes users to complete certain activities. The EU is examining the program’s effects on the well-being of minors and the potential for encouraging addictive behavior. Thierry Breton, leading the initiative, has emphasized the importance of understanding the program’s impact on youth protection and mental health.
Once TikTok submits its risk assessment, the EU will review the company’s response and determine the necessity of further action. The stakes are high, as non-compliance with the DSA could lead to substantial fines, potentially amounting to 6% of TikTok’s annual turnover. The outcome remains uncertain, but the implications of the EU’s scrutiny could have far-reaching consequences for TikTok and the digital services industry at large.
