The social network TikTok announced on Wednesday April 24 that it was “voluntarily” suspending the function of its new TikTok Lite application which rewards users for time spent in front of screens, accused in the EU of causing addiction.
“Our children are not guinea pigs for social networks,” the European Digital Commissioner immediately reacted, Thierry Bretonwho announced on Monday the opening of an investigation by Brussels and threatened to pronounce the suspension as of Thursday.
“TikTok always seeks to work constructively with the European Commission and other regulators. We are therefore voluntarily suspending the rewards features in TikTok Lite while we address the concerns they have raised,” the social network said, in a message broadcast on X.
Risk of dependence
“I take note of TikTok’s decision to suspend the TikTok Lite ‘rewards program’ in the EU. The proceedings initiated against TikTok regarding the risk of addiction to the platform are continuing,” said Thierry Breton, in a press release .
Virtual coins, convertible into a gift card, in exchange for watching videos… TikTok, owned by the Chinese group ByteDance, launched its controversial new service in France and Spain at the end of March. By pushing people to stay connected, it could dangerously reinforce dependence on the social network.
The European Commission, which plays the role of digital policeman in the EU, estimated on Monday that the mechanism posed “serious risks for the mental health of users”. However, the platform did not communicate to Brussels, before its launch, a risk assessment, in accordance with its obligations under the new digital services legislation (DSA). “The DSA ensures the security of our online space,” Thierry Breton said on Wednesday, after TikTok’s announcement.