TikTok Lite Pauses Reward System in EU Amid Addiction Concerns
TikTok Lite, a simplified version of the popular video-sharing app designed for regions with slower internet connections, has temporarily suspended its reward system in the European Union. This decision comes after regulators raised concerns about the potential for the system to encourage addiction, particularly among younger users.
The reward system, which was available in France and Spain, allowed users to earn small amounts of "coins" for interacting with videos, such as watching ads and liking content. These coins could then be exchanged for rewards like Amazon vouchers or PayPal gift cards. However, the payouts were minimal, with users earning only around 38 cents for an hour of engagement.
The European Commission, acting under the Digital Services Act, expressed concerns that the reward system could have an addictive impact, especially on children. They questioned TikTok's ability to effectively verify users' ages and ensure that the feature was not accessible to those under 18.
In response to these concerns, TikTok has paused the reward system in the EU. The company maintains that the feature was not available to users under 18 and that it has measures in place to verify age. However, they have agreed to work with regulators to address the concerns raised.
This development highlights the growing scrutiny that social media platforms are facing regarding their potential impact on users' mental health and well-being. Regulators are increasingly focusing on the addictive nature of these platforms and the potential for harm, particularly to young people. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and what further actions may be taken by regulators or by TikTok itself.