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Debate over Data Access in Tragic Teen Deaths Linked to Online Challenge

Tuesday 11 February 2025 - 10:38

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A TikTok executive has acknowledged that data crucial to an ongoing lawsuit involving the deaths of four British teenagers may have been erased. The teens, aged 12 to 14, are believed to have died while attempting the “blackout challenge” seen on TikTok, where participants intentionally deprive themselves of oxygen. The parents of the deceased children are suing TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, seeking answers about their children's deaths.

Giles Dennington, TikTok’s senior government relations manager, stated that while the company wants to assist the families, certain data may no longer be available due to legal obligations around data protection and deletion. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Dennington emphasized that TikTok adheres to strict data removal policies under data protection laws, which can impact the availability of information in such cases.

The families of the victims, who have been in contact with TikTok, have expressed frustration over the lack of compassion they feel the company has shown. Ellen Roome, mother of Jools, a 14-year-old who died, and Lisa Kenevan, mother of 13-year-old Isaac, both demanded access to the data they believe could shed light on the circumstances of their children’s deaths.

Despite TikTok’s position that it has taken significant steps to prevent harmful content, including banning searches related to the “blackout challenge” since 2020, the lawsuit claims the platform violated its own policies by allowing dangerous content to circulate.

TikTok has spent over $2 billion on content moderation and has implemented measures such as a safety hub for users. Dennington assured that the company is dedicated to keeping the platform safe, though he acknowledged the tragic nature of the situation and expressed sympathy for the families involved.