Italy asks TikTok to block unverified age users; After the death of a 10 year old girl

On 22 January, Friday; Italian data privacy watchdog commanded video app TikTok to block all the accounts of any users in Italy whose age the app couldn’t verify.

The popular TikTok app has been viral among teenagers and is famous for some challenges that go viral.

There was no immediate response from China’s ByteDance who owns TikTok.

This particular ruling came following a girl’s death due to asphyxiation in Palermo, Sicily. This case has shocked Italy. According to her parents said she was participating in a challenge called the blackout challenge on TikTok. The young girl was recording herself performing this challenge; where she put a belt around her neck and holding her breath in order to blackout.

An investigation opened by prosecutors, they have been trying to look into possible incitement to suicide and are additionally looking to see whether someone invited/ encouraged her to take part in the challenge.

In December, the Italian Watchdog had raised concerns with TikTok over a series of violations, including allegations the firm had failed to protect minors.