CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Monday issued a $10 million fine against TikTok for “not implementing measures” to prevent viral video challenges that have allegedly led to the deaths of three Venezuelan children recently.
Judge Tania D’Amelio said TikTok had acted in a negligent manner and gave it eight days to pay the fine, while also ordering the video service company to open an office in Venezuela that would supervise content so that it complies with local laws.
The judge did not explain how Venezuela would force TikTok, whose parent company is based in China, to pay the fine. Venezuela has blocked dozens of websites in previous years for not complying with regulations set by its telecommunications commission.
TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
In November, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed TikTok for the death of a 12-year-old girl who allegedly died after participating in a TikTok challenge that involved taking tranquilizer pills and not falling asleep.
Venezuela’s Education Minister Hector Rodriguez also said last month that a 14-year-old died after taking part in a TikTok challenge that involved sniffing substances. And on Nov. 21, Venezuela’s attorney general blamed video challenges on TikTok for the death of a third child.
Dozens of radio stations and television channels have been taken off the air in Venezuela under Maduro over their news coverage. More than 60 websites belonging to human rights groups and news companies were blocked at different times this year, according to VE Sin Filtro, a group that tracks media freedoms in the South American country.
In August, Venezuela banned the social media platform X as thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets t o protest the re-election of Maduro.
The Venezuelan government initially banned X for 10 days, after Maduro accused its owner Elon Musk of using the social media platform to “orchestrate attacks against Venezuela.” Musk had accused Maduro of rigging the July 28 election, which the United Nations and the Carter Center, an organization that monitors elections around the world, said did not meet international standards.
X can now be accessed on privately run internet providers in Venezuela, but it is still blocked by Venezuela’s state owned internet provider Movilnet.
Rueda reported from Bogotá, Colombia
FILE - A TikTok sign is displayed on top of their building in Culver City, Calif., on Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Boston College teammates James Hagens and Ryan Leonard each scored twice and the defending champion United States routed Switzerland 7-2 on Thursday in the world junior hockey quarterfinals.
Boston University's Brandon Svoboda, Notre Dame's Danny Nelson and Denver's Zeev Buium also scored, Hampton Slukynsky of Western Michigan made 17 saves and BC’s Gabe Perreault had three assists.
“Overall, I thought we were ready to play and did what we needed to do against a good opponent in Switzerland,” said U.S. coach David Carle of Denver. “We’ll get ready now for the semifinals and look forward to the challenge in front of us.”
The Group A champion Americans will face Czechia — a 4-3 winner over Canada in the night game at Canadian Tire Centre — on Saturday. Group B winner Sweden will play Finland in the other semifinal.
Adam Jecho scored on a one-timer on a power play with 39.4 seconds left to lift Czechia past Canada. Bradly Nadeau had tied it for Canada with 4:18 remaining. Czechia got the late power play when Andrew Gibson was called for kneeing.
Petr Sikora, Jakub Stancl and Eduard Sale also scored for the Czechs in their second straight quarterfinal victory over Canada. Michael Hrabal made 29 saves.
Tanner Howe and Porter Martone added goals for Canada, and Carter George stopped 22 shots.
At TD Place, Sweden beat Latvia 3-2, and Finland topped Slovakia 5-3. David Edstrom, Zeb Forsfjall and Anton Wahlberg scored for Sweden. Jesse Nurmi had two goals and an assist for Finland, a 4-3 overtime winner over the United States in group play.
In the relegation game, Maxim Schafer scored twice to help Germany beat Kazakhstan 4-3. Germany secured a spot next season in the tournament, while Kazakhstan was demoted to the Division I Group A tournament.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Czech Republic forward Eduard Sale (12) celebrates his goal against Canada during the first period of a quarterfinal match at the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada defenseman Tanner Molendyk (6) collides with Czech Republic forward Eduard Sale during the third periodof a quarterfinal match at the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Czech Republic forward Eduard Sale (12) scores on Canada goalkeeper Carter George (30) during the first period of a quarterfinal match at the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Rasmus Kumpulainen (18) celebrates his goal with teammates Benjamin Rautianen (37) and Konsta Helenius (19) during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Slovakia goaltender Samuel Urban (30) makes a save from a shot by Finland forward Julius Miettinen (27) during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Noa Vali (31) makes a save during first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match against Slovakia in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Arttu Alasiurua (29) falls to the ice as Slovakia forward Frantisek Dej (22) and teammate Roman Kukumberg (16) battle for the puck during the first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Jesse Nurmi (24) celebrates his goal with teammates Mitja Jokinen (2) and Daniel Nieminen (7) during the first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match against Slovakia in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team Latvia defenseman Krisjanis Sarts (2) takes a shot on Team Sweden goaltender Melker Thelin (35) during the first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team Sweden forward Otto Stenberg (25) tries to score on Team Latvia goaltender Linards Feldbergs (29) as Latvia forward Davis Livsics (7) and defenseman Darels Uljanskis (15) defend during the third period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team Sweden goaltender Melker Thelin (35) celebrates his team's win over Team Latvia with defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka (4) and forward Felix Unger Sorum (16) after an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Brandon Svoboda (8) celebrates his goal with forward Austin Burnevik (23) and forward Max Plante (22) as Switzerland goaltender Christian Kirsch (1) looks on during the first period of a quarterfinal match at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA defenseman Logan Hensler (3) reacts as he blocks a shot with his body during second period of a quarterfinal match against Switzerland at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Brandon Svoboda, left, checks Switzerland forward Simon Meier (27) as USA forward Max Plante (22) skates with the puck during the third period of a quarterfinal match at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) stretches prior to the start of the third period of a quarterfinal match against Switzerland at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Ryan Leonard (9) moves towards the net as Switzerland goaltender Christian Kirsch (1) keeps an eye on the puck and defenseman Nils Rhyn (14) defends the first period of a quarterfinal match at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Danny Nelson (17) celebrates his goal as Switzerland forward Kimo Gruber (12) skates by during the first period of a quarterfinal match at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
