Read the report: "Light on Safety: How TikTok Lite Sacrifices User Protections in the Global Majority"

Our latest research, conducted in partnership with Mozilla, focuses on TikTok Lite, a streamlined version of the popular app used widely in Global Majority countries. This investigation, titled "Light on Safety: How TikTok Lite Sacrifices User Protections in the Global Majority," reveals alarming discrepancies between TikTok Lite and the flagship TikTok app. Our research highlights that TikTok Lite lacks critical safety features, including proactive user controls and warning labels for harmful content.

The main findings show that TikTok Lite users are deprived of essential safety measures such as content filtering, screen management tools, and warning labels for dangerous, graphic, or misleading content. These missing features leave users vulnerable to harmful material and addictive behaviors. While the flagship TikTok app includes robust safety protocols, these are conspicuously absent in the Lite version, despite being technically feasible to implement.

Our research shows a neglect of user safety in TikTok Lite, primarily affecting users in regions with limited regulatory oversight. We urge TikTok to incorporate these essential safety features into TikTok Lite to ensure equitable protection for all users - to safeguard the well-being of over one billion TikTok Lite users worldwide.