– Italy watchdog forces TikTok to remove ‘French scar’ challenge videos
– Italy watchdog forces TikTok to remove ‘French scar’ challenge content.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
In a recent development, Italy’s communications authority, Agcom, announced on Feb 16 that it has compelled the popular social media app TikTok to take down videos showcasing a risky trend known as the “French scar”.
The Dangerous “French Scar” Challenge
The “French scar” challenge involves individuals pinching their cheek to create a visible bruise on their cheekbone. This trend gained traction among young Italian users of the app, leading to an investigation by Italy’s antitrust authority.
Agcom’s Response
Agcom’s decision marks the first implementation of new regulations endorsed in December. These rules empower the Italian watchdog to mandate the removal of “harmful content” on video-sharing platforms to safeguard minors and consumers.
TikTok’s Compliance
TikTok promptly removed the flagged videos classified as harmful within the stipulated five-day timeframe. A TikTok spokesperson informed Reuters that the platform had already taken preventive measures, such as restricting the visibility of the content to users. Additionally, TikTok complied with Agcom’s request by geoblocking the videos in Italy.
Global Regulatory Pressure
TikTok, a subsidiary of the Chinese company ByteDance, along with other social media giants like Facebook and Meta Platforms, are facing mounting scrutiny from regulators worldwide to shield children from detrimental content on their platforms.
Legal Action in New York City
Notably, New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently announced that his administration has filed a lawsuit against social media companies, including Facebook and Instagram, for exacerbating mental health challenges among young individuals.
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– Italy watchdog forces TikTok to remove ‘French scar’ challenge videos
– Italy watchdog demands removal of controversial TikTok challenge videos.
