Venezuela’s supreme tribunal has imposed a $10 million fine on TikTok in connection with viral challenges that authorities claim resulted in the deaths of three children and injured dozens in recent months.
President Nicolas Maduro stated that the three children, aged 12, 13, and 14, died after engaging in challenges that involved ingesting, inhaling, and spreading “hazardous combinations” of chemicals.
In a ruling on Monday, Judge Tania D’Amelio declared TikTok negligent for failing to implement “essential and adequate measures” to halt the dissemination of content promoting the challenges.
D’Amelio noted that Venezuela would use the fine to “establish a TikTok victims fund, intended to compensate for the psychological, emotional, and physical harm to users, particularly children and adolescents.”
The social media platform has also been ordered to open an office in the South American nation and given eight days to pay the fine or face “suitable” measures. The company acknowledged the gravity of the situation.
Last month, Maduro threatened “stringent measures” against TikTok if it did not remove content related to what he described as “criminal challenges.” Legislators are now considering laws to regulate social media networks.
Following his contentious re-election in July, Maduro has intensified his crackdown on dissent, targeting popular social media platforms. He recently criticized TikTok and WhatsApp, accusing them of facilitating the spread of violence and supporting opposition movements.
Earlier this year, the president urged his supporters to uninstall WhatsApp, owned by Meta, claiming it was being exploited by “fascists” to incite unrest.
Maduro also accused Elon Musk, the owner of X, of planning an attack on his country.
Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.
