Italy’s communications authority, AGCOM, announced a decisive move on Friday, revealing its enforcement action against TikTok to eliminate videos featuring the perilous “French scar” challenge. The practice involves youngsters pinching their cheeks to create lasting bruises, gaining popularity among Italian TikTok users and prompting an investigation by Italy’s antitrust authority.
AGCOM’s intervention marks the inaugural application of new rules endorsed in December, empowering the watchdog to compel the removal of “harmful content” on video-sharing platforms to safeguard minors and consumers. TikTok promptly adhered to AGCOM’s directive, removing the identified videos within the stipulated five-day period as per the regulations.
A TikTok spokesperson informed Reuters, “We had already taken measures, including preventing content from being recommended to users.” The app further geoblocked the flagged videos in Italy in compliance with AGCOM’s request. The move underscores the ongoing global regulatory scrutiny faced by social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, owned by Meta Platforms. The pressure to shield children from harmful content is intensifying, with New York City Mayor Eric Adams filing a lawsuit against social media companies, including Facebook and Instagram, citing their contribution to youth mental health crises.
