Italy’s Regulatory Body Imposes $11 Million Fine on TikTok for Failing to Screen Harmful Content

Italy’s Regulatory Body Imposes $11 Million Fine on TikTok for Failing to Screen Harmful Content

Bollywoodfever, March 14: Italy’s antitrust authority, AGCM, announced on Thursday that it has imposed fines totaling 10 million euros ($10.94 million) on three TikTok entities for failing to properly monitor its platform for content that could endanger young or vulnerable users.

Owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, TikTok, along with other social media giants like Facebook and Instagram’s parent company Meta Platforms, faces increasing scrutiny worldwide to safeguard minors.

TikTok is scaling back its live commerce plans in Europe and the US.

AGCM criticized TikTok for not taking sufficient steps to halt the dissemination of harmful content and for not adhering to its own safety protocols, thus failing to ensure the platform remains a ‘safe’ environment. The regulator specifically highlighted concerns over certain TikTok challenges, including the “French scar” challenge, which involves pinching the cheeks hard enough to cause a noticeable bruise, posing a risk to minors and susceptible individuals.

This criticism follows a recent action by Italy’s communications watchdog, AGCOM, which had mandated TikTok to take down such videos. According to AGCM, the harmful content is not only directly uploaded by users but also proliferated via TikTok’s profiling algorithms, leading to increased engagement at the risk of inappropriate influence on users. TikTok had not responded to these allegations at the time of the announcement.

In a related development in the United States, where TikTok boasts approximately 170 million users, the platform is confronting potential prohibition unless ByteDance divests its ownership within a six-month timeframe, as stipulated by a draft bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Also Read, Marc Anthony and Nadia Ferreira Share First Glimpse of Their Baby on 9-Month Milestone

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Pooja Chauhan
Pooja Chauhan

Pooja Chauhan: Your Source for Entertainment and Box Office News

Pooja Chauhan is a passionate writer and dedicated journalist specializing in delivering the latest updates and insights from the world of entertainment and box office. With a keen eye for detail and a deep love for cinema, Pooja brings her readers accurate and engaging coverage of all things related to movies, celebrities, and the dynamic world of showbiz. Her commitment to keeping her audience well-informed and entertained makes her a valuable voice in the realm of entertainment journalism. When she's not busy uncovering the latest scoops, Pooja enjoys exploring classic films and indulging in creative writing."
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