Will TikTok Get Banned in Europe? EU Cracks Down on “Addictive” Apps like TikTok Lite

Officials in the European Union are thinking of charging TikTok with huge fines and suspending its new sister app, TikTok Lite, due to concerns regarding the app being too addictive. TikTok Lite is a scaled-down version of TikTok that will be offering users cash rewards for engaging with the app.

The regulators at the EU worry that these incentives can be addictive, especially for users in Spain and France, where the app has been introduced. This is the second major investigation the EU has done on TikTok, with a focus on the harm it can cause to its user’s mental health.

This action came right after the US House of Representatives passed a bill that may ban TikTok in the US over national security worries.

Under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), the European Commission’s TikTok has been given 48 hours to defend its reward program. And if they fail to do so, a ban that usually lasts up to 60 days could be extended indefinitely.

Aside from this, TikTok is also facing potential fines for not submitting info about TikTok Lite to the European Commission, which includes risk assessments and steps taken to prevent those risks.

TikTok, in response, has stated that TikTok Lite is not available to users under 18 and that there is a daily limit on video watch tasks. The media company plans to continue further discussions with the commission to address any other queries.

This move from the EU shows just how committed they are to protecting users, especially minors, from potential harm caused by online platforms. It also emphasizes the increased scrutiny that tech companies like TikTok face as regulators seek to ensure compliance with new digital regulations.