TikTok Given 24 Hours To Submit Risk Evaluation Related To TikTok Lite In The European Union

JAKARTA - The European Union has given TikTok 24 hours to submit a risk evaluation related to the new TikTok Lite app launched this month in France and Spain, with concerns about its potential impact on children and users' mental health, the European Commission announced on Wednesday, April 17.

The move comes by EU industry chief Thierry Breton, based on EU technology rules known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), two months after he opened an investigation into TikTok over alleged DSA violations.

The historic DSA requires companies to make more efforts to deal with illegal and harmful content on their platforms, with fines of up to 6% of their annual global turnover for infringement.

The commission on Wednesday said it had sent TikTok a request for information, asking for further details on the risk evaluation that the social media company should have done before launching TikTok Lite in the European Union, which consists of 27 countries.

"This is related to the potential impact of the new 'Task and Reward Lite' program on the protection of children, as well as the mental health of users, especially related to the potential stimulation of addictive behavior," the EU executive said in a document seen by Reuters.

"TikTok must provide risk evaluation for TikTok Lite within 24 hours and other information requested on April 26, 2024, after which the Commission will analyze TikTok's replies, and then assess the next steps."

The Commission also asked for details on the steps the company has taken to reduce systemic risk.

TikTok Lite, a new functionality app aimed at 18+ users, launched in France and Spain this month.