Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice has fined TikTok $10 million after viral challenges on the platform were linked to the deaths of three adolescents from chemical intoxication.
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 harmful 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.
TikTok acknowledged the gravity of the matter in its statement to the court, according to D’Amelio.
Authorities in Venezuela reported that, in addition to the three fatalities, 200 adolescents were intoxicated 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 lighthearted dance routines to potentially dangerous stunts. While the platform prohibits content that promotes self-harm or suicide, critics have accused it of failing to curb hazardous videos effectively.
President Nicolas Maduro had previously threatened “severe measures” against TikTok in November if it failed to remove content related to what he described as “criminal challenges.” Parliament is now debating regulations for social networks, with Maduro accusing platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), of promoting “hate,” “fascism,” and “division” in Venezuela.
