The Commission is concerned that the “Task and Reward Program” of TikTok Lite, which allows users to earn points while performing certain “tasks” on TikTok - such as watching videos, liking content, following creators, inviting friends to join TikTok, etc. - has been launched without prior diligent assessment of the risks it entails, in particular those related to the addictive effect of the platforms, and without taking effective risk mitigating measures. This is of particular concern for children, given the suspected absence of effective age verification mechanisms on TikTok. The lack of effective age verification mechanisms and the suspected addictive design of the platforms are already under investigation in the first formal proceedings against TikTok.
This investigation on the following areas:
- TikTok's compliance with the DSA obligation to conduct and submit a risk assessment report prior to deploying functionalities, in this case the “Task and Reward Lite” program, that are likely to have a critical impact on systemic risks. In particular negative effects on mental health, including minors' mental health, especially as a result of the new feature stimulating addictive behavior.
- The measures taken by TikTok to mitigate those risks.
In case TikTok fails to reply to the Commission's request for information by decision within the indicated deadlines, 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.
Finally, given TikTok's inability to submit the risk assessment which should have been carried out prior to launching TikTok Lite, the Commission suspects a prima facie infringement of the DSA and considers that there are risks of serious damage for the mental health of users. The Commission has therefore also communicated to TikTok its intention to impose interim measures consisting in the suspension of the TikTok Lite rewards programme in the EU pending the assessment of its safety. It could be renewed if necessary and proportionate. Before formally adopting the suspension, TikTok has been given until 24 April to bring arguments in its defense which the Commission will carefully assess.