The Venezuelan Supreme Court has imposed a fine of $10 million on TikTok over “dangerous” viral trends.

 

According to reports, the fine has been imposed after the deaths of three youths while performing viral challenges that were trending on TikTok.

 

The court said that TikTok was not taking any steps to block or remove the content promoting the dangerous trends.

 

While the courts did not clarify how TikTok will pay the fine, executives of the app are yet to react to the decision.

 

Earlier, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also blamed TikTok for the death of a 12-year-old girl in November. The girl had allegedly lost her life while participating in a TikTok challenge that required taking tranquillizers without falling asleep.

 

TikTok to prevent under-18 users from using beauty filters

 

On November 28, 2024, TikTok decided to implement restrictions to prevent users under the age of 18 from using beauty filters.

 

Users under the age of 18 will soon be prevented from using effects that enhance their beauty and attractiveness. The change is aimed at protecting minors from mental health problems.

 

Beauty filters are applied to real-time video images to enhance physical attractiveness. Common effects of such filters include smoothing skin texture and enlarging eyes or narrowing the nose. A filter called 'Bold Glamour' turns anyone into a supermodel.

 

However, according to the company, the age restriction will not apply to filters that are designed for entertainment purposes.

 

TikTok will also use machine learning technologies that can help identify accounts belonging to children under the age of 13.

 

Canadian govt asks TikTok to shut operations for security reasons

 

On November 8, 2024, Canada said Wednesday it is shutting down TikTok's offices in the country following a security review, but people will still be allowed to use the popular video-sharing app.

 

"The government is taking action to address the specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd.'s operations in Canada," Francois-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, said in a statement.

 

Ottawa is not imposing restrictions on Canadian users of TikTok, which has come under scrutiny for its ownership under China-based ByteDance.

 

"The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice," Champagne said.

 

Canada banned TikTok from all government devices last year and launched a security review of the application.

 

Champagne said Wednesday's decision was made in accordance with a law that "allows for the review of foreign investments that may be injurious to Canada's national security."

 

TikTok said it would challenge the decision in court.

 

"Shutting down TikTok's Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone's best interest," said a spokesperson.

 

"We will challenge this order in court."

 

A cyber expert at the University of Ottawa, Michael Geist, said "there may well be good reasons" to ban the app but warned the move could be counterproductive.

 

"Banning the company rather than the app may actually make matters worse since the risks associated with the app will remain but the ability to hold the company accountable will be weakened," Geist wrote in an online post.

 

TikTok also faces a ban in the United States if it remains owned by ByteDance - a threat the company is battling in a federal appeals court, arguing that it violates free speech rights.

 

The US government alleges that TikTok allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users. It also says the platform is a conduit to spread propaganda.

 

China and the company strongly deny these claims.