Update: On January 10, 2025, we added comments from some of the VPN companies involved in the blockage. Venezuela has reportedly blocked over 20 websites of some of the best VPN providers in the country.

Restrictions come as TikTok failed to meet authorities' request to appoint a local representative. It isn't the first time, however, that Venezuela blocked a social media app.

Venezuela’s Supreme Court has fined TikTok $10 million, accusing it of failing to control the spread of viral challenges that have allegedly led to the deaths of three children.

Banning orders are not uncommon in Venezuela, with X (formerly Twitter) temporarily banned back in August 2024 and multiple reports of website banning were reported during the country's controversial summer 2024 elections. During this period, the Proton VPN Observatory saw VPN usage increase by an enormous 51,000% above baseline.

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.

Three teens died and over 200 were intoxicated in schools after ingesting chemical substances. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Tiktok has been accused of putting users in danger with the spread of hazardous challenge videos. Venezuela's highest court on Monday fined TikTok $10 million in connection with viral challenges that authorities say left three adolescents dead from ...

Venezuela fined TikTok $10M over fatal "death challenges," demanding local offices and victim compensation measures.

Venezuela’s top court imposed a US$10 million fine on TikTok over viral challenges that killed three children and injured dozens of people in recent months.

Following further allegations that TikTok was responsible for the deaths of children who took part in a challenge, Venezuela imposes a fine of millions.

CARACAS, Venezuela — 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 ...

Venezuela fined TikTok $10 million for viral challenges allegedly causing child deaths, intensifying debates over platform responsibility amid President Maduro’s broader crackdown on media and online freedom.