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The EU has effectively vanquished a TikTok feature that Europe's digital commissioner described as "toxic" and "addictive as cigarettes." Owner ByteDance said on Wednesday that TikTok Lite's reward-to-watch feature would be suspended. It's been a brutal day for TikTok as President Biden signed a bill (also on Wednesday) forcing ByteDance to sell the platform's US operations or face a ban.
TikTok Lite, launched earlier this month in France and Spain, lets users earn rewards by watching and liking videos. They can then exchange their points for real-world perks like Amazon vouchers or in-app ones like TikTok's virtual currency, which is used to tip creators. The EU Commission said the "task and reward" feature can stimulate "addictive behavior" in children.
"Our children are not guinea pigs for social media," EU commissioner Thierry Breton posted on X (Twitter) on Wednesday. "I take note of TikTok's decision to suspend the #TikTokLite ‘Reward Program' in the EU."
However, he added a parting shot to remind ByteDance it isn't out of the woods: "The cases against TikTok on the risk of addictiveness of the platform continue."
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President Biden has signed the bill to force a sale of the video app or ban it. Now the law faces court challenges, a shortage of qualified buyers and Beijing's hostility.
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A tiny group of lawmakers huddled in private about a year ago, aiming to keep the discussions away from TikTok lobbyists while bulletproofing a bill that could ban the app.
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The Senate has approved legislation that would effectively ban TikTok. Here's what's next.
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What every TikTok user needs to know about a new potential ban of the viral-video app, including when it could disappear and how to save your data.
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