A TikTok official has stated that the data requested by a group of parents, who believe their children lost their lives while attempting a viral challenge seen on the platform, may have been erased.
They are taking legal action against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, over the deaths of Isaac Kenevan, Archie Battersbee, Julian “Jools” Sweeney, and Maia Walsh—ranging in age from 12 to 14.
The lawsuit alleges that the children perished while trying the “blackout challenge,” in which individuals deliberately restrict their oxygen intake.
Giles Derrington, a senior government relations representative at TikTok, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We always strive to provide any possible answers in these kinds of circumstances, but there are certain things that we simply do not possess.”
Speaking on Safer Internet Day, a global initiative to highlight online dangers, Mr. Derrington mentioned that TikTok had communicated with some of the parents, acknowledging that they had endured something unimaginably heartbreaking.
During an interview on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the families accused the tech company of displaying “no empathy.”
Ellen Roome, mother of 14-year-old Jools, has been seeking access to TikTok data that she believes could shed light on her son’s passing. She is advocating for laws that would grant parents access to their deceased child’s social media accounts.
“We want TikTok to be transparent and assist us—why withhold the data?” questioned Lisa Kenevan, mother of 13-year-old Isaac. “How do they sleep at night?”
When asked why the information had not been made available, Mr. Derrington responded: “This is an extremely complex matter due to legal obligations concerning data deletion. Under data protection regulations, we are required to erase data promptly, which affects what we can retain.”
He explained that legal obligations regarding data removal influence its availability, stating: “People expect us to comply with laws requiring data deletion, so this situation is more intricate than simply withholding access.”
“It is crucial that the legal process unfolds properly and that as many answers as possible are provided,” he added.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. on behalf of the parents by the Social Media Victims Law Center, accuses TikTok of violating its own policies regarding content permitted on the platform.
It claims the children died after engaging in a trend that circulated extensively on TikTok in 2022, despite the platform’s policies against displaying or promoting hazardous content that could result in severe physical harm.
While Mr. Derrington refrained from discussing specific aspects of the ongoing case, he acknowledged: “As a parent myself, I can only imagine how desperately they seek answers and clarity.”
“We have already engaged with some of these parents in an effort to assist them,” he added.
He emphasized that the so-called “blackout challenge” existed before TikTok, stating: “We have never found any proof that the blackout challenge was trending on our platform.”
“In fact, since 2020, we have completely prohibited any searches for the term ‘blackout challenge’ or its variations to ensure that no one encounters such content,” he continued.
“We do not want such material on the platform, and we recognize that our users do not either.”
Mr. Derrington highlighted that TikTok has invested over $2 billion (£1.6bn) this year in content moderation, employing tens of thousands of human reviewers globally.
He also pointed out the launch of an online safety center designed to educate users on staying protected, which also encourages dialogue between parents and their teenagers.
“This is an incredibly tragic case, but we remain committed to doing everything in our power to ensure TikTok remains a safe space for everyone,” Mr. Derrington concluded.
