TikTok Lite, the streamlined version of the popular app, has been found to lack critical safety features, according to researchers at the Mozilla Foundation.
This version, designed for users with limited data or older devices, omits important labels and warnings present in the main TikTok app. Missing features include AI-generated content labels, hazardous activity warnings, and misinformation labels.
The absence of these safety measures could expose users, particularly in emerging markets where TikTok Lite is popular, to harmful content. The Lite version also lacks content filtering options, screen time management, and comment filtering, making it harder for users to control their experience and avoid inappropriate content.
Despite TikTok’s claims that content removal is consistent across both app versions, the report argues that users of TikTok Lite are more vulnerable to harmful content.
The app has seen significant downloads, particularly in South Africa, Indonesia, and Brazil. As TikTok Lite continues to grow in popularity, addressing these safety gaps becomes increasingly urgent to protect its users.
