Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU Commission made TikTok’s commitment to permanently revoke TikTok Lite Rewards in the EU binding, addressing concerns under the Digital Services Act.
Why Did the EU Commission Bind TikTok’s Commitments?
Today on 5 August 2024 the EU Commission has made TikTok’s obligation to permanently revoke the TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU binding. These commitments have been offered by TikTok to address the situations raised by the EU Commission in the formal proceedings extended against TikTok on 22 April and ensure adherence with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
How Did TikTok Respond to the EU’s Concerns?
According to the EU Commission, the platform has completed the following commitments, a commitment to withdraw the TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU, permanently and a commitment not to launch any other programme which would circumvent the withdrawal.
How Will TikTok Ensure Compliance with the DSA?
EU Commission’s decision makes these pledges legally binding, meaning that any violation of the commitments would directly amount to a breach of the DSA and could therefore lead to penalties. With this decision, the EU Commission is also shutting the formal proceedings opened against TikTok on 22 April.
This is the first case the EU Commission completes under the DSA, 105 days after the beginning of the proceedings. This is also the first time that the Commission has received commitments from a designated online platform against which it had spread formal proceedings under the DSA.
What Steps Will the EU Take to Monitor TikTok?
In the next steps, the EU Commission will carefully scrutinise TikTok’s adherence to the binding commitments the platform has submitted under article 71 of the DSA, as well as with its other commitments under the DSA.
What Are the Risks Associated with TikTok Lite Rewards?
TikTok Lite is a new particular version of the TikTok app. Following its takeoff in Spain and France in April 2024, the EU Commission expressed worries regarding the TikTok Lite Rewards programme, which permitted users to earn points while performing certain ‘Tasks’ on TikTok Lite, such as observing videos, liking content, following creators, asking friends to join TikTok, etc.
What Led to the Formal Proceedings Against TikTok?
The EU Commission was troubled that the TikTok Lite Rewards programme had been established without a prior diligent examination of the risks it entails, particularly with the addictive development of the Rewards programme, and without bringing effective risk-mitigating measures. The Rewards programme, which may promote addictive behaviour, could potentially have adverse effects on the physical and mental fitness of users. This is of particular consideration for minors, who may have an elevated sensitivity to such features.
As TikTok failed to deliver a risk assessment report with the takeoff of TikTok Lite, the EU Commission adopted a judgment on 22 April to initiate formal proceedings against TikTok and cautioned TikTok of its intention to discontinue the TikTok Lite Rewards programme in the EU. On 24 April, the EU Commission took note of TikTok’s conclusion to voluntarily suspend the TikTok Lite Rewards programme in the European Union.
