TikTok Removed More Than 500,000 Accounts In Italy Following An Order To Block Underage Users

According to recent reports, TikTok deleted more than 500,000 accounts in Italy following intervention by the Italian data protection regulator. The Italian regulator ordered TikTok to check the ages of all Italian users and block any access for users under 13. Between February 9 and April 21, 12.5 million Italian users were asked if they were over 13,

according to the regulator . Up to now, more than 500,000 Italian accounts have been deleted due to suspicion that they are under 16 years old. Another 400,000 accounts had to be deleted because they were under 13 years old.

TikTok said it will take a series of measures to prevent Italian users under the age of 13 from using the app. In January of this year, a 10-year-old Italian girl took part in TikTok's "Coma Challenge". She strangled herself with a belt to test how long she could hold her breath. In the end, the little girl died of asphyxiation.

Italy announced on January 22 that they are temporarily banning users whose age is not guaranteed to access TikTok. The Chinese short video app has caught the attention and is very popular with teenagers. However, some management is needed or things can quickly get out of control for young children.