TikTok Implements New Measures to Limit Spread of State-Affiliated Media Accounts
In a move to combat the spread of potential propaganda on its platform, TikTok announced on Thursday that it would be introducing new measures to limit the reach of videos from state-affiliated media accounts, particularly those from Russian and Chinese outlets. This decision comes as the social media company faces criticism that it could be used as a tool for spreading misinformation and influencing major elections.
Since 2022, TikTok has been labeling state-affiliated media accounts, such as RT and People’s Daily, and now it will no longer allow videos from these accounts to appear in users’ main feeds if they attempt to reach communities outside their home country on global events and affairs. Additionally, these accounts will not be permitted to advertise on TikTok outside their home countries, further reducing their reach.
The move by TikTok is part of a larger effort by social media platforms to combat misinformation in a year when a significant portion of the global population will be participating in major elections. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been under scrutiny for its potential to be used by foreign governments for propaganda purposes. This concern was heightened by the passage of a law that could force ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States.
Despite these concerns, TikTok has vehemently denied being a threat to national security and is currently suing the federal government over the law. However, fears surrounding the upcoming presidential election in the United States have led to increased support for the new law, with officials warning that TikTok could be used to disrupt elections.
In its efforts to combat covert influence operations, TikTok released a report detailing its actions to disrupt 15 influence operations in the first four months of this year, most of which were aimed at swaying political discourse around elections in countries like Germany and Indonesia. The platform has removed thousands of accounts as part of this effort.
A recent study from the Brookings Institution found that Russian state-affiliated accounts have been posting more frequently on TikTok this year, with a focus on U.S. political topics. These accounts have garnered significant engagement on the platform, raising concerns about their potential impact on public opinion.
As TikTok continues to navigate these challenges, it remains to be seen how effective these new measures will be in limiting the spread of propaganda on the platform and protecting the integrity of elections worldwide.
