TikTok is facing criticism for its response time to a disturbing livestream posted by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, which allegedly showed him covered in blood and brandishing a knife. The video remained online for approximately 30 minutes before authorities intervened.
Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to Hilton's Miami home following multiple calls from concerned fans reporting alarming behavior on the livestream. According to reports, clips from the video showed Hilton covered in blood while holding a knife. Officials confirmed that Hilton was alone in his home during the incident.
Critics argued that TikTok's delay in removing the content exposed potentially vulnerable viewers, including children, to harmful material. Bertie Aspinall, an advisor to the UK Government on the Online Safety Act, told the Daily Mail that such live streams often serve as workarounds for content blocking and that platforms like TikTok continue to promote them. He emphasized the need for real-time content blocking capabilities to prevent harm.
Following the incident, authorities reported that Hilton had been safely recovered and transported to a local hospital for medical attention. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals remained at the scene to provide support to Hilton's family. The video in question has since been removed from TikTok, and Hilton's account has been suspended.
Representatives for Hilton stated they were working to confirm his well-being and requested privacy. Friends and fans of the blogger, whose birth name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., shared messages of concern and support on social media. Some noted Hilton's recent struggles, including a 21-day hospital stay earlier this year for sepsis, which he attributed to taking flu medication on an empty stomach. During his recovery, Hilton had spoken about a profound personal and spiritual experience.
This incident has reignited discussions about content moderation on social media platforms and the responsibility of these companies in safeguarding users from distressing material. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Samaritans offer confidential support for individuals in distress.