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Venezuela fines TikTok $10 million over viral challenge deaths |
Venezuela’s highest court on Monday fined TikTok $10 million in connection with viral challenges that authorities say left three adolescents dead from intoxication by chemical substances.
Supreme Tribunal of Justice Judge Tania D’Amelio said that the popular video-sharing app had been negligent in failing to implement “necessary and adequate measures” to stop the spread of content encouraging the challenges.
TikTok, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, was ordered to open an office in the South American country and given eight days to pay the fine or face “appropriate” measures.
Venezuela would use the money to “create a TikTok victims fund, intended to compensate for the psychological, emotional and physical damages to users, especially if these users are children and adolescents,” D’Amelio said.
The company told the court that it “understands the seriousness of the matter,” she said.
According to Venezuelan authorities, three adolescents died and 200 were intoxicated in schools across the country after ingesting chemical substances as part of social media “challenges.”
TikTok’s huge global success has been partly built on the success of its challenges — a call that invites users to create videos featuring dances, jokes or games that sometimes go viral.
The app has been accused of putting users in danger with the spread of hazardous challenge videos.
TikTok’s official policy prohibits videos promoting self-harm and suicide.
In November, President Nicolas Maduro threatened “severe measures” against TikTok if it did not remove content related to what he called “criminal challenges.”
Parliament is considering laws regulating social networks, which Maduro said after his disputed reelection in July was being used to promote “hate,” “fascism” and “division.”
He has accused Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X, of orchestrating “attacks against Venezuela.”
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Venezuela fines TikTok $10 million over viral challenge deaths
In a shocking turn of events, Venezuela has announced that it will be fining social media platform TikTok a whopping $10 million over the deaths of several individuals who participated in a viral challenge on the app.
The challenge in question involved participants attempting dangerous stunts and acts, with some even risking their lives in pursuit of likes and followers. Unfortunately, this reckless behavior resulted in multiple fatalities, prompting the Venezuelan government to take action.
In a statement released by the government, officials condemned TikTok for allowing such dangerous challenges to circulate on its platform without taking proper measures to ensure the safety of its users. The hefty fine serves as a warning to other social media platforms to be more vigilant in monitoring and regulating harmful content.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of viral challenges on social media, and the responsibility that platforms have in protecting their users. It also raises questions about the ethics of promoting risky behavior in exchange for online fame and validation.
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of social media, it is crucial that we prioritize the safety and well-being of users above all else. Let this serve as a wake-up call to all platforms to take a stand against harmful content and prioritize the welfare of their users.
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Venezuela, TikTok, fine, $10 million, viral challenge, deaths, social media, tragedy, consequences, internet regulation, safety precautions, legal action
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