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TikTok proprietor ByteDance is facing smart questions about its compliance with the European Union ’s Digital Services Act ( DSA ) , an on-line governance and content moderateness model that commit a legal certificate of indebtedness on larger platforms to mitigate systemic risk of exposure in areas like young person genial wellness .
The EU ’s latest concern about TikTok ’s DSA compliance center on the launch of TikTok Lite . This is a edition of the video sharing app which recently launched ( “ run launched ” , per TikTok ) in France and Spain — letting users over 18 year old there earn point for sure in - app activities , such as like content or keep up new creators . TikTok tell these point can be redeemed for endowment cards or “ coins ” that can be gifted to creators .
The reward - connect engagement feature looks to have triggered concern in the EU about potentially addictive design which could have a electronegative impact on young citizenry ’s genial wellness . The European Commission manage platforms ’ compliance with DSA scheme peril requirements .
In apress releaseannouncing the petition for information ( RFI ) , the Commission say it ’s expect TikTok for more detail on the endangerment assessment it should have conduct out before deploying the new app in the EU .
“ This concerns the potential impact of the new ‘ Task and Reward Lite ’ programme on the aegis of minors , as well as on the genial health of drug user , in particular in relation to the potential stimulation of addictive behaviour , ” it compose , adding that it ’s also requesting information about the measures TikTok has put in seat to mitigate such systemic peril .
TikTok has been have 24 hours to leave the risk assessment for TikTok Lite . It has until April 26 to provide other requested information , after which the Commission said it will analyze its answer and assess next step , such as whether or not to open a formal investigating .
Is social media " lite " as addictive and toxic as cigarettes " light " ?
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We have just institutionalize a request for information regarding the launch of#TikTokLite .
We will spare no travail to protect minors under the#DSA.pic.twitter.com/3oC0Msm28J
— Thierry Breton ( @ThierryBreton)April 17 , 2024
Reached for input on the Commission ’s RFI , a TikTok voice said : “ We have already been in direct contact lens with the Commission regarding this Cartesian product and will react to the postulation for information . ”
ByteDance , which possess TikTok , is one of around two dozen expectant on-line platform that are open to the strict stratum of DSA rules — requiring them to take step to extenuate systemic risks use of their platforms could cause . Penalties for fail to abide by with the regulation can reach up to 6 % of world annual turnover which could lead to some hefty fines for TikTok for any confirmed compliance failures .
The wide of the mark impact of the pan - EU regularisation is probable to be on weapons platform ’ product design choices , with EU enforcer consume major power that could potentially wedge the reform of entire commercial enterprise models if they ’re found to have toxic impacts .
TikTok is already under probe in the EU in relation to a number of DSA obligation , including in the region of protective covering of kid and the risk management of addictive design and harmful content , after the Commission announced a conventional probe backin February . But the latest RFI suggests the EU is worried there are more take of fear .
It ’s particularly interesting to see the Commission intervene so swiftly after a tentative product going — as the TikTok Lite app only appears to have been springy in the two markets for a very brief period . The Commission allege it launched this month . ( And here , for example , is a SpanishYouTube videoon the reward feature which was post just under a week ago where the vlogger enounce the program for earning money “ just by watching videos ” has only just been made available , and so far only on some Android devices . )
It ’s not clear-cut whether TikTok lead a DSA risk of infection appraisal for the new reward syllabus ahead of set in motion TikTok Lite in the two EU market place . A TikTok spokesman did not respond when we necessitate about that . But the regulation ’s focussing on systemic risk essentially makes such a step obligatory for features that are likely to attract to nestling .
TikTok did narrate us it require TikTok Lite user to avow that they are 18 or old so as to collect points through their use of the app . Asked about the robustness of the age substantiation technology it ’s using , its spokesman enjoin the processes involved can let in things like “ submitting a selfie with a photo ID ( e.g passport or driver permit ) , credit card authorisations etc ” .
Other restrictions on the reward program TikTok highlight are a maximum limitation on reward it said is “ about ” tantamount to € 1 per twenty-four hours . It also said there ’s a maximum day-by-day TV fourth dimension terminus ad quem for rewards of one hour — so , presumably , you’re able to only earn points for one 60 minutes ’s worth of video observance , after which you wo n’t accrue any more points that day .
How clearly such limits are communicated to TikTok Lite users may be one area of stake to EU enforcers as they ask the platform about its designing choices .
“ VLOPs [ very great online platforms ] and VLOSEs [ very large on-line search railway locomotive ] are obligate to carry out risk assessmentspriorto deploy functionalities that are likely to have a critical encroachment on risks to , for instance , the mental well - being of the drug user and send this assessment to the Commission without undue delay , ” a Commission spokesperson told us .
Consumer groups in Europe havepreviously call down concernsabout various aspect of TikTok ’s program design , including its use of virtual currency to create troth inducement . Complaints resurrect back in 2021 were funnel through the Consumer Protection Cooperation internet , with the Commission involved in encouraging a dialogue between the two sides . Then , inJune 2022 , the procedure culminated in TikTok offer a series of commitment — including pledging to boost transparency around its digital coins and virtual gifts .
However judging by the Commission ’s oversight of TikTok ’s approach to DSA compliance the program may need to go further to live up to enforcers of the rebooted EU Internet rulebook , which occur fully into forcethis February — but with systemic danger element expected to be value as oflate August 2023 .
This report was updated with commentary from the Commission
EU open formal probe of TikTok under Digital Services Act , citing child safety , peril direction and other concern
