Italy Fines TikTok $11-M For Failing To Protect Minors

Italy's competition authority has imposed a €10 million ($11 million) fine on TikTok for inadequately controlling the dissemination of content that poses threats to the safety of minors and vulnerable individuals, according to Maisie Linford's report for CNN.

TikTok disputed AGCM's decision, stating that it had already restricted the visibility of such content to users under 18. I Photo: Solen Feyissa Flickr

The antitrust agency, AGCM, criticized TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, for failing to consider the specific vulnerabilities of adolescent users, such as susceptibility to mimicry of group behaviors.

AGCM noted that TikTok's algorithms facilitated the systematic re-presentation of harmful content to users, citing examples like the 'French Scar' trend, where users self-inflicted bruises by pinching their cheeks.

TikTok disputed AGCM's decision, stating that it had already restricted the visibility of such content to users under 18.

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