Venezuela fines TikTok over $10 million for promoting vi0lent challenges that have caused d3aths
Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice has fined TikTok $10 million for promoting vi0lent challenges that have caused d3aths. The viral challenges on the platform were linked to the d3aths of three adolescents from chemical int0xication.
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Judge Tania D’Amelio ruled on Monday, December 30, that TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, failed to implement “necessary and adequate measures” to prevent the spread of h@rmful content promoting the challenges.
The court has ordered TikTok to establish an office in Venezuela and pay the fine within eight days or face further appropriate measures. The funds will be used to create a TikTok victims fund aimed at addressing the psychological, emotional, and physical harm caused to users, particularly children and adolescents, D’Amelio said.
Authorities in Venezuela reported that, in addition to the three d3aths, 200 adolescents were int0xicated in schools across the country after ingesting chemicals as part of social media challenges.
TikTok’s global appeal has often been tied to its viral challenges, which range from light-hearted dance routines to potentially dangerous stunts. While the platform prohibits content that promotes self-harm or su!cide, critics have accused it of failing to curb hazardous videos effectively.
President Nicolas Maduro had previously thre@tened severe measures against TikTok in November if it failed to remove content related to what he described as “cr!minal challenges.” Parliament is now debating regulations for social networks, with Maduro accusing platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), of promoting “h@te,” “f@scism,” and “division” in Venezuela.
