The European Union (EU) has launched a probe into TikTok's spinoff Lite app and threatened to suspend an "addictive" feature on the social platform in Europe that it believes could be "as addictive as cigarettes" unless the company offers "compelling" fresh evidence that children are safeguarded.
TikTok Lite is a smaller version of the popular TikTok app. It takes up less memory on a smartphone and is made to perform over slower internet connections.
TikTok Lite arrived in France and Spain in March. Through the app's rewards programme, users aged 18 and older can earn points to exchange for goods like vouchers or gift cards.
The European Commission said in a statement on Monday that it has concerns about the app's "risks of serious damage for the mental health of users", including minors. The commission gave TikTok until Wednesday to "bring arguments in its defence which the commission will carefully assess" before making a final decision on enforcement steps.
The commission also warned that if TikTok failed to reply to the request, it could impose fines of up to 1% of its total annual income or global turnover and periodic penalties of up to 5% of its average daily income or annual turnover worldwide.
