EU raises risk assessment concerns as TikTok app launches
In response to the launch of TikTok Lite in France and Spain, the European Commission, on Wednesday, raised concerns about the app’s detrimental effects on children and users’ mental health and issued a demand for a risk assessment from TikTok within 24 hours.
In addition to the 24-hour deadline for the risk assessment, TikTok has been instructed to provide further requested information by April 26.
The new app entices users with rewards for watching videos. These rewards, like vouchers or gift cards, can be obtained by earning points, access is granted only to users above 18 and they are allowed to watch for a maximum of one hour each day, earning around $1.06 worth of rewards daily.
The commission has emphasised that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, headquartered in China, should have conducted a risk assessment prior to the app’s launch.
According to Voice of America, a TikTok spokesperson confirmed that they already communicated directly with the European Commission regarding the newly launched product. They affirm that TikTok will provide the requested information in response to the Commission’s inquiry.
“We have already been in direct contact with the commission regarding this product and will respond to the request for information,” the statement read.
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company based in China, is under scrutiny for failing to conduct a risk assessment before the app’s release.
In February, the European Union initiated an investigation into TikTok over alleged breaches of child protection regulations. Now, with the European Commission demanding a risk assessment for TikTok Lite due to concerns over its impact on children and users’ mental health, the scrutiny of the platform’s practices continues to intensify.
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