Addictive potential

Lite app: TikTok averts EU fine for the time being

TikTok has submitted the risk assessment required by the European Union for the new app "TikTok Lite", according to its own statements on Tuesday. The platform, which is known for its dance videos and is particularly popular with young people, has thus averted a fine for the time being.

The EU is offended by the "TikTok Lite" bonus program. Users receive points for every video they watch. Critics fear that this could lead to increased addiction potential. The subsidiary of the Chinese group ByteDance recently launched "TikTok Lite" in France and Spain.

As a particularly large online service, the company is subject to stricter regulation under the European Digital Services Act (DSA). Among other things, this prohibits so-called dark patterns, i.e. manipulative practices that keep customers on the platforms or encourage them to make purchases.

The law also obliges internet companies to set up a risk management system and take stronger action against hate and hate speech on the internet. Violations could result in penalties of up to six percent of annual global turnover.