A few days after the United States of America voted to ban TikTok by law because they said it has Chinese ownership, in the last few hours a similar initiative comes from Brussels.

The European Union announced that it will ban the new service launched by TikTok in Europe, TikTok Lite. The EU says the service could be “as addictive as cigarettes” unless the company provides new “convincing” evidence that children are protected.

If the service is eventually banned, it would mark the first time the EU has used sweeping new powers to impose sanctions on social media companies.

The move follows the entry into force in August 2023 of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

The European Commission said it will come up with the next decision on the steps to implement the ban on TikTok Lite.

Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton said video-sharing platform TikTok Lite rewards users for watching videos. He described the service as “toxic”.

Breton told reporters that TikTok Lite “can be as toxic and addictive as cigarettes.” He said that while TikTok’s flagship app offers users “fun and a sense of connection”, it also “comes with significant risk for our children: addiction, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, low attention span”.

The new watch-and-get-reward app offers users prizes such as Amazon vouchers, gift cards via PayPal or TikTok monetization points. Terms include watching videos, liking content, following the publisher, and inviting friends to share.

The application was launched in France and Spain a few days ago.

Earlier in February, the DSA launched an investigation into the company over other child protection concerns.

TikTok was used by millions of minors in Europe.