Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice has imposed a $10 million fine on TikTok following viral challenges that reportedly resulted in the deaths of three adolescents and the intoxication of 200 others. The ruling, announced on Monday, cited the app’s failure to implement safeguards against harmful content.
Judge Tania D’Amelio declared TikTok negligent for not taking necessary and adequate measures to prevent the spread of videos promoting dangerous challenges. In addition to the fine, TikTok has been ordered to establish a physical office in Venezuela within eight days or face further action.
The fine will fund a “TikTok victims fund” to compensate those affected, especially children and adolescents, for psychological, emotional, and physical harm. TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, expressed its acknowledgment of the seriousness of the matter during court proceedings.
The challenges, involving the ingestion of toxic substances, have raised concerns globally about the platform’s role in promoting unsafe content. While TikTok officially prohibits videos encouraging self-harm, it has been criticised for failing to effectively monitor its content.
President Nicolas Maduro previously warned TikTok of severe consequences for hosting “criminal challenges” and has urged new regulations on social media to combat what he calls the spread of “hate” and “division.”
