TikTok announced new measures to limit the reach of state-backed media, aiming to mitigate foreign influence on the platform during a crucial election year in multiple countries, on Thursday.
This decision follows an ultimatum from the United States, which has pressured TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company or face a potential ban from the U.S. market due to concerns about the app’s potential to influence American users.
TikTok’s updated policy specifically targets state-affiliated media outlets that seek to disseminate information about “current global events and affairs” to audiences outside their home countries.
These outlets will now be restricted from appearing on TikTok’s personalized “For You” feed, which is a key discovery and engagement feature of the platform.
The company aims to ensure a fair and transparent information environment, particularly during times when unbiased news and information are critical.
This move underscores TikTok’s commitment to addressing concerns about the potential for foreign interference and maintaining the integrity of the content on its platform.
TikTok announced its latest measures to curb the influence of state-backed media in a detailed blog statement, emphasizing that these steps are part of a broader strategy to counter foreign interference, especially during a pivotal election year across several countries.
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It stated: “We found that a majority of these networks were attempting to influence political discourse among their target audience, including in relation to elections.”
Under the new policy, state-affiliated media outlets aiming to target audiences beyond their home countries with content on “current global events and affairs” will no longer appear in TikTok’s personalized “For You” feed.
Additionally, these accounts will face advertising restrictions, preventing them from promoting content outside the country they are primarily associated with, as specified by TikTok.
The company defines state-affiliated media as organizations “whose editorial output or decision-making process is subject to control or influence by a government.” This definition is crucial in identifying and managing the content produced by such entities on the platform.
TikTok also disclosed significant efforts to combat disinformation and influence operations. In the first four months of 2024 alone, the company detected and disrupted 15 distinct influence operations, involving a total of 3,001 associated accounts.
This proactive stance highlights TikTok’s dedication to maintaining a trustworthy and secure platform, ensuring users receive information free from undue governmental influence. Through these measures, TikTok aims to foster a more transparent and reliable digital environment amid rising global concerns over digital information integrity.