The warning and demand that the Chinese-owned TikTok provide details within 24 hours about how it is combating misinformation online echoes similar warnings that Th. Breton filed this week with social network X and Facebook parent company Meta.
“Given that your platform is widely used by children and teenagers, you have a special responsibility to protect them from violent content depicting hostage-taking and other gruesome videos that are reported to be widely distributed on your platform without adequate safeguards,” – in a letter to the head of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, Th. Breton.
Th. Breton stressed that TikTok and other major internet platforms need to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which gives the EU the power to fine platforms up to 6 percent. their global circulation if they do not fight against illegal content.
Like Elon Musk, the owner of the X platform, and Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Meta, Th. Breton told Shou Zi Chew that his request was urgent and needed a response within the next 24 hours.
The full text of the letter was published in Th. On Breton’s X account and an account created this week on the new social network Bluesky, which is a competitor to X.
According to investigative journalism website Bellingcat, which verifies, investigates and debunks information, misinformation surrounding the Hamas attack in Israel last weekend has increased dramatically.
It documented examples of false or misleading videos being posted on X, TikTok and other platforms.
She also found several such videos on Telegram, which is not yet subject to DSA. However, in February, DSA will come into full force and apply to smaller platforms.
#warns #TikTok #illegal #content #misinformation
– What role do fact-checking experts play in TikTok’s strategy to combat harmful content and misinformation?
**Interview with Media Analyst Dr. Sarah Thompson on TikTok’s Responsibility in Combating Misinformation**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Dr. Thompson. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments regarding TikTok and its responsibility to combat misinformation and violent content.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial topic, especially considering the influence these platforms have on young users.
**Interviewer:** Recently, European Commissioner Thierry Breton demanded that TikTok provide details within 24 hours about its strategies for addressing misinformation, highlighting the platform’s usage among children and teenagers. What do you think about this urgency?
**Dr. Thompson:** The urgency is warranted. Social media platforms like TikTok have a massive reach among younger audiences, who are more susceptible to misinformation and harmful content. By demanding rapid transparency, Breton is emphasizing the responsibility these companies have to protect vulnerable users.
**Interviewer:** Breton pointed out that TikTok must safeguard its users against violent content, stating that such material, including hostage-taking videos, is alarmingly prevalent. What measures could TikTok implement to address these concerns?
**Dr. Thompson:** First and foremost, TikTok needs to enhance its content moderation systems. This could involve using a combination of AI technology and human oversight to detect and remove inappropriate content swiftly. Additionally, educational campaigns about media literacy can help users discern credible information from misinformation.
**Interviewer:** TikTok has claimed to be investing in counteracting misinformation, including hiring fact-checking experts. How effective do you think these measures will be?
**Dr. Thompson:** While hiring experts is a step in the right direction, the effectiveness of these measures will ultimately depend on their implementation. It’s not just about adding resources but also about integrating them into a proactive strategy that continuously adapts to new challenges. Trust needs to be built with users, especially young ones.
**Interviewer:** In the context of misinformation and contents harmful to minors, how does TikTok compare to platforms like X and Meta, which also face scrutiny?
**Dr. Thompson:** TikTok, X, and Meta all face similar challenges but differ in user demographics and content types. TikTok’s short-form, video-centric format can amplify misinformation quickly. Meanwhile, platforms like Meta, which have more varied content, might struggle with different types of misinformation, such as fake news articles. The key issue across these platforms remains the urgent need for rigorous oversight and accountability.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. It seems that the pressure on TikTok and similar platforms to act responsibly is more critical than ever.
**Dr. Thompson:** Absolutely. It’s vital for the health of our discourse and the safety of our youth that these platforms take their responsibilities seriously. Thank you for bringing attention to this important subject.
