Italian Competition Authority Imposes €10 Million Fine on TikTok for Inadequate Control of Harmful Content
The Italian competition authority, AGCM, has imposed a €10 million ($11 million) fine on the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, for failing to effectively manage the dissemination of content that poses a threat to the safety and well-being of minors and other vulnerable individuals.
On Thursday, the antitrust agency announced its decision, stating that TikTok had neglected to take into account the unique susceptibilities of adolescent users on its platform. The AGCM noted a propensity among young people towards imitating group behaviors and other tendencies that may make them more vulnerable to harmful content.
In a press release, the AGCM stated that TikTok had not taken sufficient measures to prevent the propagation of such content. The authority also pointed out that the platform’s algorithms could systematically recommend this harmful material back to users, exacerbating the issue.
As an example of detrimental content that has proliferated on TikTok, the AGCM cited a popular trend known as the ‘French Scar.’ This trend involved TikTok users deliberately inflicting bruises on their cheeks by pinching them, aiming to leave lasting marks. Reuters reported on this matter last month.
A TikTok spokesperson disputed the AGCM’s decision, arguing that the platform had already taken steps to restrict the visibility of such content for users under 18 years old.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
Contributing Reporting: Angelica Chiara Yazbeck.
Keywords: TikTok, Fine, Italy, AGCM, Harmful Content, Minors, Vulnerable Individuals, Antitrust Agency, ByteDance.
H2: TikTok Faces €10 Million Fine for Inadequate Handling of Harmful Content on Its Platform
The Italian competition authority, AGCM, has taken stern action against the video-sharing giant TikTok by imposing a €10 million fine. The company, owned by China’s ByteDance, was penalized for failing to effectively manage the dissemination of content that poses a threat to the safety and well-being of minors and other vulnerable individuals.
The antitrust agency identified TikTok’s neglect towards the unique susceptibilities of adolescent users as a key concern. The AGCM highlighted that young people have a tendency to mimic group behaviors, making them more prone to engaging with harmful content.
According to the AGCM’s statement, TikTok did not take adequate measures to prevent the propagation of detrimental material on its platform. The authority further explained that the platform’s algorithms could systematically recommend such harmful content back to users, worsening the problem.
As an illustration of this issue, the AGCM provided the example of a popular trend called the ‘French Scar.’ This trend involved TikTok users intentionally causing bruises on their cheeks to leave lasting marks. Reuters reported about this troubling trend last month.
TikTok responded to the AGCM’s decision with a statement that they disagreed with the penalty, as they had previously taken steps to restrict the visibility of such content for users under 18 years old.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Contributing Reporting: Angelica Chiara Yazbeck.
Keywords: TikTok Fine, Italian Competition Authority, AGCM, Harmful Content, Minors, Vulnerable Individuals, Antitrust Agency, ByteDance.
