TikTok representatives will be summoned to a court hearing in Venezuela
Nicolás Maduro said this Monday that Justice will summon the representatives of TikTok to an in-person hearing, after the authorities protested against the recent death of three teenagers who were following “challenges” published on that platform.
«I understand that they are going to summon the representatives of TikTok to an in-person hearing in Venezuela«Maduro said on his television program.
Maduro, who last Monday gave TikTok 72 hours to remove “criminal challenges” from Venezuela that circulate on the platform, recalled that the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) has “initiated a process” after the death of the three minors and that the authorities that regulate the country’s communications are in contact with TikTok.
“For the first time, TikTok Latin America responds to a letter of alert and protest against the dissemination of content that causes harm to people and society (…) I think we agree that this must end,” said Maduro.
Will TikTok be blocked in Venezuela?
Maduro has considered the idea of blocking access to TikTok in Venezuela and has asked parents to educate about “the pernicious nature of social networks.”
TikTok is in the crosshairs of other countries such as Canada, Brazil or the United Stateswhere the authorities suspect that it is a spy application by collecting personal information, but also as an instrument for Chinese propaganda.
The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, refutes the allegations.
On August 8, Maduro ordered the blocking of
Weeks later, the platform was unblocked in private Internet operators, but it remains restricted to users of the state telecommunications company Cantv.
Maduro also called for a boycott against Meta’s WhatsApp messaging application.
The president accused these platforms of inciting hatred and promoting “anti-values.” The ruling Chavismo seeks to regulate social networks through laws that are discussed in Parliament, with a pro-government majority.
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