TikTok: EU investigates addiction risk and could have Lite function switched off
The TikTok owner company ByteDance is facing a heavy fine. The Lite version of TikTok, which is already available in France and Spain, is potentially addictive. Despite an extended deadline, ByteDance has not submitted the necessary risk assessment.
The European Commission has announced that it is opening an investigation against TikTok. It fears that the online platform is in breach of various sections of the Digital Services Act (DSA) with its "Lite" version. Specifically, it is investigating whether the app is addictive.
Source: blogdumoderateur.com
The TikTok Lite task and reward programme is particularly problematic. If you give a lot of likes to videos, successfully invite other contacts to TikTok Lite or watch a particularly large number of videos, you can earn digital points. These can then be exchanged for vouchers and gift cards. The algorithm also remembers which videos you watch for longer and shows you more similar content. This should keep you on the platform for longer.
Danger of addiction and missing age check
In addition to the risk of addiction, there is also a recognisable mechanism for reliably determining the age of users. The Commission criticises the fact that the app is already available in France and Spain without TikTok having submitted a corresponding risk report. As a so-called VLOP (very large online platform), TikTok would have been obliged to do so in accordance with Article 28 of the DSA (page 60). ByteDance should have submitted the report by 18 April.
Massive fines loom
TikTok now has until 23 April to submit this report. From Wednesday, 24 April, TikTok could face significant fines - up to one per cent of its annual revenue or global turnover. There could also be regular fines of up to five per cent of the company's daily turnover. After that, the EU could even order TikTok to switch off the new functions for the time being.
This is already the second investigation against TikTok in Europe. The EU Commission opened proceedings in February. It is investigating whether TikTok is taking sufficient precautions against the distribution of illegal content and complying with advertising transparency requirements. These proceedings are still pending - just like the proceedings against Elon Musk's platform X, which is under investigation due to the fake news problem and similar allegations.
Other platforms are also facing similar problems. The video portals for adult entertainment - specifically PornHub, StripChat and Xvideos - must now also take measures to ensure age-appropriateness. This was announced by the EU Commission at the weekend. Failure to do so could result in similar sanctions. However, it is not yet clear exactly how this will be achieved - the discussion about an officially issued E-ID is likely to get louder.
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.