2024-05-01 11:08:54
Introduced an updated policy
TikTok‘s developers have announced that they will begin blocking content from some creators for a period of time starting May 17. This new rule will apply to those accounts that regularly publish posts related to conspiracy theories, extreme fitness and body exhaustion, sexually explicit material and other topics that the platform’s creators have decided to no longer promote in the For You recommendation channel.
“This change is part of the new TikTok usage policy that has been published. While technically videos on such topics are still allowed on TikTok, the content itself and the accounts of the “problematic” people posting it may be temporarily restricted. The entire account cannot be temporarily recommended on the For You channel in case the creator repeatedly posts content that violates the new standards,” says Mr. Antropik.
All blocked developers will be notified of this decision. In addition, it will be harder to find the accounts of developers who violate the rules in the search box. According to the expert, this may discourage certain developers from using the app.
“For example, if a nutrition video creator has to avoid talking about long-term intermittent fasting or can no longer share weight loss results, they will have to find another platform for their content.” The same will have to be done for those who talk about psychological health without context and explanations, or who share particularly gloomy considerations that can affect the emotional state of others,” explains J. Antropik.
According to her, the decision is related to the criticism directed at TikTok for its harmful effects on young users. Last November, an investigation by Amnesty International found an increase in depressing content on TikTok’s For You channel, which was at risk of harming the mental health of children and young people.
“Such a platform decision is viewed ambiguously. It can reduce the amount of harmful or unrealistic content, but at the same time harm other creators who speak about these topics in a reasonable and professional manner,” the expert notes.
Going through a difficult period
For some time now, the TikTok platform has been facing various difficulties. US President Joe Biden recently signed a law requiring the Chinese company ByteDance to sell the platform or it will be banned in the country. The company must implement this step in the coming years.
“This decision is mostly related to US-China relations. Almost half of US citizens use TikTok. in 2021 A new law in China could force tech companies to disclose user data. So the USA is afraid that this could be a security threat,” says Mr. Antropik.
Although it was announced a few years ago that all Americans’ TikTok data was handled physically on US servers maintained by US companies, an investigation earlier this year revealed unpatched security holes. It turned out that, albeit unofficially, ByteDance still had access to some individual user data.
2024-05-01 11:08:54