TikTok risks fines as EU issues ultimatum over app launch

The EU launched a probe into TikTok's spinoff Lite app and threatened to suspend an ‘addictive’ feature on it rewarding users for watching and liking videos, amid child-safety concerns, a European Commission official told AFP. The European Commission has concerns about the "risks of serious damage for the mental health of users", including minors, from the rewards programme, the official said. TikTok Lite arrived in France and Spain in March. — AFP

The European Union opened a new probe Monday into whether ByteDance Ltd violated the bloc’s new content law when it launched its TikTok Lite app in France and Spain without providing a full risk assessment.

The new app promises to pay users through a points system, which the European Commission said risks creating an addictive effect on users.