TikTok suspends a rewards program that pays users a small amount each day for interacting with the platform.
The lightweight version of the TikTok application, which was launched in two EU countries a couple of weeks ago, included a reward feature that paid users a small amount every day for participating in videos.
Shortly after, European regulatory bodies initiated an investigation, claiming that the feature could promote addiction, especially among young people. TikTok has responded today by suspending the feature in the EU while addressing the investigation.
TikTok Lite is designed as a lightweight alternative to the main TikTok app to make it easier to use on slow internet connections. It has been available for years in some parts of Asia and earlier this month it was launched in France and Spain.
How rewards work on TikTok Lite
Within the application there is a rewards center that pays users in “coins” for doing things like logging in, watching ads, and liking videos.
Coins can be exchanged for Amazon vouchers or PayPal gift cards. But you have to do a lot of things to earn a significant amount of money: watching videos for an hour only gives about 36 euro cents.
The Commission, relying on the EU Digital Services Act, took action and expressed concern about the potential “addictive effect” of the reward feature on children.
In statements to Reuters, a TikTok spokesperson emphasized that the feature is not available for users under 18 years old, but the complaint from the European Commission suggests that TikTok’s age verification mechanisms may not be strong enough to prevent children from registering anyway.
Author: Chema Carvajal Sarabia
{
"de-DE": "Journalist, spezialisiert auf Technologie, Unterhaltung und Videospiele. Über das zu schreiben, was mich begeistert (Gadgets, Spiele und Filme), ermöglicht es mir, bei Verstand zu bleiben und mit einem Lächeln im Gesicht aufzuwachen, wenn der Wecker klingelt. PS: Das stimmt nicht 100% der Zeit.",
"en-US": "Journalist specialized in technology, entertainment and video games. Writing about what I'm passionate about (gadgets, games and movies) allows me to stay sane and wake up with a smile on my face when the alarm clock goes off. PS: this is not true 100% of the time.",
"es-ES": "Content Manager - Periodista especializado en tecnología, entretenimiento y videojuegos. Escribir sobre lo que me apasiona (cacharros, juegos y cine) me permite seguir cuerdo y despertarme con una sonrisa cuando suena el despertador. PD: esto no es cierto el 100 % de las veces.",
"fr-FR": "Journaliste spécialisé dans la technologie, le divertissement et les jeux vidéo. Écrire sur ce qui me passionne (gadgets, jeux et films) me permet de rester sain d'esprit et de me réveiller avec le sourire aux lèvres quand le réveil sonne. PS : cela n'est pas vrai 100 % du temps.",
"it-IT": "Giornalista specializzato in tecnologia, intrattenimento e videogiochi. Scrivere di ciò che mi appassiona (gadget, giochi e film) mi permette di mantenere la sanità mentale e di svegliarmi con un sorriso sul viso quando suona la sveglia. PS: questo non è vero al 100% del tempo.",
"ja-JP": "",
"nl-NL": "",
"pl-PL": "",
"pt-BR": "Jornalista especializado em tecnologia, entretenimento e videogames. Escrever sobre o que me apaixona (gadgets, jogos e filmes) me permite manter a sanidade e acordar com um sorriso no rosto quando o despertador toca. PS: isso não é verdade 100% do tempo.",
"social": {
"email": "chemacs91@gmail.com",
"facebook": "",
"twitter": "https://twitter.com/chematopetazo",
"linkedin": ""
}
}
View all posts by Chema Carvajal Sarabia
