A 10-year-old took part in a challenge that became popular - and accidentally suffocated • "Tiktok and YouTube were her world," her father said • An investigation was opened on suspicion of possible incitement to suicide
"Working to Protect Our Community"
Photography:
AP
The Data Protection Authority in Italy ordered the Tiktok app yesterday (Friday) to block the accounts of users in the country whose age is not verified.
This is after the death of a 10-year-old who took part in a challenge that became popular on the social network.
The authority argues that although Tiktok has pledged to ban the registration of children under the age of 13, it is easy to circumvent this restriction.
As a result, the app will be required to block accounts of unverified users in Italy by February 15th.
Tiktok stated that it would review the information received from the Authority.
"Privacy and safety are our top priorities, and we are constantly working to strengthen our policies, processes and technologies to protect our community and young users in particular," the company said.
As mentioned, the announcement of the expected move came after a girl died of suffocation in Palermo, Sicily, in a case that shocked Italy.
Her parents said she participated in Tiktok's "Fainting Challenge," in which she tied a belt around her neck and held her breath while documenting it on her phone.
The girl was rushed to hospital after accidentally suffocating.
The doctors who treated her had to prescribe brain death, and the parents decided to donate their daughter's organs.
"Tiktok and YouTube were her world. That's how she spent her time," the girl's father told Italian media.
An investigation was opened into the matter on suspicion of possible incitement to suicide, and it was also investigated whether anyone had invited the girl to take part in the challenge.
