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The feature might be suspended if TikTok fails to provide information.
Image credit: Mehaniq/Shutterstock
The European Commission has started an investigation against TikTok under the Digital Services Act (DSA) over the TikTok Lite "Task and Reward Program". The feature requires users to complete tasks such as watching videos, liking content, following creators, and inviting friends to earn points, which might have an addictive effect.
The Commission says that the feature has been launched in France and Spain "without prior diligent assessment of the risks it entails." TikTok doesn't have effective age verification mechanisms, so the effect of such actions is a particular concern for children.
"Under the DSA, designated Very Large Online Platforms are obliged to submit a risk assessment report, including measures to mitigate any potential systemic risks, prior to launching any new functionalities that are likely to have a critical impact on their systemic risks."
The investigation will check TikTok's compliance with the DSA obligation to conduct and submit a risk assessment report before deploying the Task and Reward program, which can have negative effects on mental health, and the measures taken by TikTok to mitigate those risks.
TikTok has until April 23 to submit the risk assessment report and until May 3 to provide the other information requested. If it fails to do so, the Commission "may impose fines up to 1% of the provider's total annual income or worldwide turnover and periodic penalties up to 5 % of the provider's average daily income or worldwide annual turnover."
Moreover, it can suspend the TikTok Lite rewards program in the EU pending the assessment of its safety.
Last month, the Commission opened non-compliance investigations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) into Apple, Google, and Meta. It suspects they don't follow the anti-steering rules enforced by the organization.
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