Venezuela’s highest court has fined TikTok millions in connection with so-called challenges that authorities say have led to multiple deaths and injuries.
The popular video app must pay 10 million dollars.
Three children have died after taking part in challenges that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said included ingesting, inhaling and spreading a “dangerous mix” of chemicals.
The top court said the popular video app was negligent by failing to take “necessary and adequate” measures to prevent the spread of content that encouraged the challenges. The judges said the money from the fine will go towards a compensation fund for the victims.
Maduro has previously taken a stand against social media platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp. Earlier this year, he asked his supporters to delete WhatsApp, Meta’s messaging app, from their phones, saying it was being used by “fascists” to spread violence.
TikTok must pay the fine within ten days and open an office in Venezuela.