The European Union (EU) has initiated formal proceedings against TikTok to determine whether its new app, TikTok Lite, violates the bloc’s digital rules. The EU is particularly concerned about the app’s potential systemic risks, such as its addictive design features that could be harmful to children.
The EU’s demand for more information comes after TikTok failed to respond to a request for information about the app’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA, which took effect last year, aims to regulate social media platforms and address concerns such as misinformation, harmful content, and online safety.
The EU has given TikTok 24 hours to provide a risk assessment for TikTok Lite and until Wednesday to defend its position. If the EU is not satisfied with TikTok’s response, it could order the suspension of the app’s reward features as early as Thursday.
This is the first time that the EU has issued a legally binding order for such information under the DSA. The move highlights the EU’s growing concern about the potential risks posed by social media platforms, particularly to vulnerable users such as children.
TikTok is already facing an ongoing investigation by the EU into its main app’s compliance with the DSA. The investigation is examining whether TikTok is doing enough to address systemic risks stemming from its design, including the use of algorithmic systems that may promote addictive behavior.
