Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice has imposed a $10 million fine on TikTok after viral challenges on the platform were linked to the deaths of three adolescents from chemical intoxication.
On Monday, December 30, Judge Tania D’Amelio ruled that TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, had failed to implement “necessary and adequate measures” to prevent harmful content promoting dangerous challenges. The court ordered TikTok to establish an office in Venezuela and pay the fine within eight days, threatening further “appropriate” actions if the company does not comply. The funds from the fine 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 has acknowledged the seriousness of the issue in its statement to the court, according to the judge.
Venezuelan authorities reported that, in addition to the three fatalities, 200 adolescents were also intoxicated after ingesting chemicals as part of social media challenges in schools across the country.
TikTok, known for its global popularity and viral challenges, has come under scrutiny for the rise of potentially dangerous stunts. While the platform prohibits content that promotes self-harm or suicide, critics have accused it of inadequately preventing the spread of hazardous videos.
In November, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had threatened “severe measures” against TikTok if it failed to remove content linked to what he termed “criminal challenges.” The Venezuelan parliament is currently debating new regulations for social media platforms, with Maduro accusing platforms like X (formerly Twitter) of spreading “hate,” “fascism,” and “division” in the country.
