In a landmark decision on December 30, Venezuela’s Supreme Court imposed a $10 million fine on TikTok, accusing the platform of negligence after viral challenges were linked to the deaths of three children. The court ordered TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, to establish an office in Venezuela to ensure content compliance with local regulations.
The ruling follows a series of incidents where children allegedly participated in dangerous TikTok challenges. One high-profile case involved a 12-year-old girl who reportedly died after consuming tranquilizer pills as part of a challenge. Education Minister Héctor Rodríguez highlighted another incident involving a 14-year-old who died after inhaling harmful substances, while Attorney General Tarek William Saab cited a third fatality in November.
Judge Tania D’Amelio, who presided over the case, criticized TikTok for failing to implement adequate safeguards to prevent the spread of harmful content. The court stipulated that the $10 million fine must be paid within eight days and directed the funds toward a compensation program for affected families.
The Venezuelan government has intensified its scrutiny of social media platforms, citing concerns over harmful content and dissenting voices. Over the past year, it has blocked numerous websites and briefly banned access to X (formerly Twitter), accusing its owner, Elon Musk, of supporting anti-government activities.
Despite TikTok’s global guidelines prohibiting content that promotes self-harm or risky behavior, Venezuelan officials argued that enforcement of these rules remains insufficient. The fine underscores the growing pressure on digital platforms to address the societal impacts of viral content and highlights Venezuela’s broader crackdown on online spaces.
TikTok has yet to respond to the fine or the allegations. The ruling reignites debates about digital platforms’ responsibilities in curbing harmful content. By demanding localized oversight, Venezuela joins a global trend of governments pushing for greater accountability from tech companies in the face of rapid digital expansion.
