TikTok Lite Rewards Programme Withdrawn Amid EU Digital Services Act Compliance

ByteDance’s TikTok has agreed to permanently withdraw its TikTok Lite rewards programme from the EU to comply with the bloc’s Digital Services Act. The programme allowed users to earn points by engaging with the platform. The EU is investigating TikTok for potential breaches of online content rules aimed at protecting children and ensuring transparent advertising.

ByteDance's TikTok has officially agreed to permanently withdraw its TikTok Lite rewards programme from the EU, according to an announcement by the European Commission on Monday. This move is part of TikTok's effort to comply with the EU's stringent Digital Services Act (DSA).

The TikTok Lite rewards programme allowed users to earn points by engaging in various activities on the platform, such as watching videos, liking content, following creators, or inviting friends to join. The withdrawal follows an immediate risk assessment demanded by the EU in April, shortly after TikTok Lite was launched in France and Spain. The assessment focused on concerns about the app's impact on children and users' mental health.

The European Commission stated that TikTok has made legally binding commitments to remove the rewards programme from the EU market. The platform also pledged not to introduce any similar programme that could circumvent this decision. Any violation of these commitments would constitute a breach of the DSA and could result in substantial fines. An additional investigation is ongoing to determine if TikTok has breached online content regulations aimed at protecting children and ensuring transparent advertising, putting the platform at risk of further penalties.

(With inputs from agencies.)