Court Cites Negligence in Content Management
Venezuela’s Supreme Court levied a $10 million fine against TikTok on Monday, attributing the deaths of three adolescents to viral challenges involving chemical substances promoted on the platform. Judge Tania D’Amelio of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice criticized TikTok for not taking sufficient action to prevent the spread of such dangerous content.
Mandatory Compliance and Victim Compensation
In response to the negligence, TikTok has been mandated to establish a local office in Venezuela within eight days, alongside paying the hefty fine. Failure to comply will result in further unspecified actions. The fine’s proceeds will be allocated to a “TikTok victims fund” aimed at compensating users, particularly children and adolescents, for psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered due to these challenges.
Acknowledgment of Issue by TikTok
TikTok acknowledged the gravity of the situation in court statements, as noted by Judge D’Amelio, indicating an understanding of the matter’s seriousness.
The Tragic Consequences of Viral Challenges
The Venezuelan authorities reported that the viral challenges led to the intoxication of 200 schoolchildren and the death of three teens, highlighting the real dangers associated with social media trends. TikTok, known for its dynamic user-generated content, has seen significant growth through such challenges, which often encourage participants to engage in various activities for viral recognition.
Policy and Political Backlash
While TikTok’s policy explicitly bans content that promotes self-harm or suicide, the incident has raised concerns about enforcement. President Nicolas Maduro had previously warned of stringent measures against TikTok if it failed to curb these hazardous trends. This incident comes amidst broader discussions in Venezuela’s Parliament about regulating social media, with Maduro alleging misuse of platforms for spreading hate, fascism, and division following his controversial reelection. Additionally, Maduro has pointed fingers at Elon Musk, accusing him of using his platform, X, to undermine Venezuela.
