Under the DSA, designated very large online platforms (VLOPs) such as TikTok are obliged to obliged to submit a risk assessment report, including measures to mitigate any potential systemic risks, prior to launching any new functionalities that are likely to have a critical impact on their systemic risks.

The Commission is assessing whether the company may have breached the DSA when launching TikTok Lite in France and Spain, which allows users to earn points while performing certain “tasks” such as watching videos, liking content, following creators and inviting friends to join TikTok.

In a statement yesterday, it said it was concerned that the ‘task and reward’ feature has been launched without prior diligent assessment of the risks it entails, in particular those related to the addictive effect of the platforms, and without taking effective risk-mitigating measures.

The Commission said this is of particular concern for children, given the suspected absence of effective age verification mechanisms on TikTok. The lack of effective age verification mechanisms and the suspected addictive design of the platforms are already under investigation in separate formal proceedings against TikTok.

Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, said: “The Commission is concerned that TikTok did not submit a risk assessment of the new TikTok Lite, especially regarding a ‘reward programme’ where users for instance can earn points on liking content or inviting friends to TikTok.

“Under the Digital Services Act, online platforms have the responsibility to assess and address any potential risks their users may face. So, the Commission has opened a compliance case that urges TikTok to submit an assessment and provide more information on how it is protecting its users from potential risks on their platform.”

Thierry Breton, commissioner for the internal market, said: “Endless streams of short and fast-paced videos could be seen as fun, but also expose our children to risks of addiction, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, low attention spans…

“With our first DSA non-compliance case against TikTok still ongoing, the company has launched TikTok Lite which financially rewards extra screen time. We suspect TikTok ‘Lite’ could be as toxic and addictive as cigarettes ‘light’.

“Unless TikTok provides compelling proof of its safety, which it has failed to do until now, we stand ready to trigger DSA interim measures including the suspension of TikTok Lite feature which we suspect could generate addiction. We will spare no effort to protect our children.”