TikTok accused of suppressing ugly, poor, disabled, LGBTQ+ users
TikTok accused of suppressing ugly, poor, disabled, LGBTQ+ users
Occurred: March 2020
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TikTok was accused of suppressing content from users deemed "ugly," poor, or disabled, prompting an outcry about discrimination and censorship.
Leaked internal documents revealed TikTok moderators had been instructed to prioritise certain types of content over others, potentially limiting the visibility of users who did not fit a specific aesthetic.
Additionally, TikTok faced criticism for its handling of LGBTQ+ content. Some users have reported that their videos featuring LGBTQ+ themes or identities were suppressed or removed, leading to concerns about censorship and discrimination.
TikTok denied the allegations, claiming that the guidelines in question were outdated and never implemented.Β
Nonetheless, the accusations raised important questions about the platform's commitment to inclusivity and fairness.
TikTok content moderation system
TikTok For You π
TikTok. Getting started - For You
Operator: TikTok users
Developer: ByteDance/TikTok
Country: China; Global
Sector: Media/entertainment/sports/arts
Purpose: Moderate content
Technology: Content moderation system; Recommendation algorithm
Issue: Bias/discrimination; Human/civil rights; Fairness
https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/tiktok-app-moderators-users-discrimination/
https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-censorship-users-deemed-ugly-overweight-or-disabled-2020-3
https://netzpolitik.org/2019/discrimination-tiktok-curbed-reach-for-people-with-disabilities/
https://www.mtv.com/news/3148075/tiktok-censored-posts-disabled-fat-lgbtq/
https://slate.com/technology/2019/12/tiktok-disabled-users-videos-suppressed.html
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/09/30/how-tiktok-holds-our-attention
Page info
Type: Incident
Published: August 2024