EU launches probe into TikTok Lite over addiction worries

The European Union (EU) is investigating TikTok for potential violations of the region’s Digital Services Act (DSA), specifically concerning TikTok Lite. This smaller version of the app, designed to work on slower internet connections, has raised concerns about its addictive features. Users in France and Spain can earn rewards for watching and liking videos, leading to worries about the impact on young users’ mental health.

EU’s Commission is considering temporary measures to suspend TikTok Lite while the investigation progresses, with potential penalties for parent company ByteDance if found non-compliant with the DSA. The commissioner for the EU Internal Market compared TikTok Lite to light cigarettes, emphasizing the need to protect children.

Meanwhile, in the US, a TikTok ban is gaining traction as the House of Representatives included it in a foreign aid package. ByteDance may have to sell TikTok within a year to avoid a ban from app stores. President Biden has expressed support for a TikTok ban if Congress approves it.