TikTok fined $10 million for allowing deadly viral challenges
Venezuela’s highest court has imposed a $10 million fine on TikTok following a series of deadly viral challenges that authorities say caused the deaths of three adolescents from intoxication by chemical substances.
Judge Tania D’Amelio of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice announced that TikTok had been negligent in failing to implement “necessary and adequate measures” to prevent content promoting the dangerous challenges.
The court has ordered the social media platform, owned by China’s ByteDance, to open an office in Venezuela and pay the fine within eight days, or face further action.
The fine will be used to establish a TikTok victims fund to compensate for the emotional, psychological, and physical damages suffered by users, particularly children and adolescents, D’Amelio stated.
“The company told the court that it ‘understands the seriousness of the matter,’” D’Amelio added.
Venezuelan authorities reported that three adolescents died and over 200 were intoxicated in schools nationwide after participating in social media “challenges” involving chemical substances.
TikTok’s rapid rise to global popularity has been driven in part by viral challenges, where users participate in trends featuring dances, jokes, or games.
However, the app has faced criticism for allowing hazardous content to spread, with accusations of putting users at risk.
Read also: Trump asks US Supreme Court to pause TikTok ban law
The platform’s official policy bans videos that promote self-harm and suicide. However, in November, President Nicolas Maduro warned of “severe measures” if TikTok failed to remove content related to what he termed “criminal challenges.”
The Venezuelan parliament is also considering laws to regulate social media networks, with Maduro claiming they have been used to spread “hate,” “fascism,” and “division.”
He has also accused Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, of orchestrating “attacks against Venezuela.”
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