Venezuela Fines TikTok $10M Over Deadly Challenges

Venezuela's Supreme Court has fined TikTok $10 million for failing to prevent dangerous viral challenges, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of three adolescents. TikTok must establish a local office and create a victims fund, as scrutiny over the platform's role in spreading harmful content intensifies.

In a significant legal move, Venezuela's Supreme Court has levied a $10 million fine on TikTok, citing negligence in its handling of perilous viral challenges that allegedly resulted in three adolescent deaths due to chemical intoxication. The decision, reported by Voice of America, highlights concerns about the platform's capacity to control the dissemination of hazardous material.

Judge Tania D'Amelio, presiding over the case, emphasized TikTok's failure to implement necessary safeguards against harmful content, marking a critical stance against the platform. The ruling obliges TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, to open a local office in Venezuela and promptly pay the fine within eight days to avoid further penalties. Crucially, the fine will be used to establish a 'TikTok victims fund' targeting compensation for those impacted, especially vulnerable youth.

This development comes amidst heightened criticism and scrutiny of TikTok's influence, particularly regarding user-driven viral trends that pose risks to young users. Despite TikTok's official policies against self-harm content, there are increased calls for the platform to enhance prevention measures. The Venezuelan government is concurrently pushing for stringent social media regulation, with President Nicolas Maduro previously condemning TikTok for promoting divisive content.

(With inputs from agencies.)