Tiktok’s Rewards Program in Limbo: Suspension in France and Spain Amidst EU Concerns

The social media service Tiktok has voluntarily suspended its reward program on the Tiktok Lite app in France and Spain. This decision comes after the EU Commission raised concerns about the impact of the rewards program on users’ mental health and addiction to the platform.

The Tiktok Lite app includes a reward program aimed at users over 18 years old, where users can earn points by completing tasks such as watching videos, liking content, or following other users. These points can be exchanged for rewards such as Amazon discount coupons or Tiktok virtual coins. However, due to concerns raised by the EU Commission, Tiktok has decided to suspend this program.

The EU Commission specifically asked Tiktok for information on how the company had assessed potential risks related to the rewards program, particularly regarding its impact on users’ mental health and addiction to the platform. However, Tiktok did not meet this deadline, leading to an official investigation under the Digital Services Act. This is the second official procedure against Tiktok under this Act, with the first one starting in February.

Under this Act, large online platforms are required to address issues such as the spread of illegal content, online disinformation, and other social risks. Non-compliance with this Act can result in fines of up to six percent of the company’s global turnover. As a result of these investigations, Tiktok has committed itself to working constructively with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with regulations and address any potential risks associated with its services.

In conclusion, while it is unclear what led to this decision from Tiktok’s perspective, it is clear that they are taking steps towards addressing concerns raised by regulators about their platform’s impact on user wellbeing. By suspending their rewards program in two key markets like France and Spain, they hope to avoid further action being taken against them by European authorities.