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 specific measures can social media platforms implement to combat the spread of misleading information?
**Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Social Media and Health Communication Expert**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Carter. Recently, the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Th. Breton, issued a warning to TikTok regarding the platform’s handling of misinformation and violent content. What are your thoughts on this urgent demand?
**Dr. Carter**: Thank you for having me. I believe Breton’s warning highlights a critical issue not just for TikTok, but for all social media platforms. Given the extensive use of platforms like TikTok by younger audiences, there is a significant responsibility on these companies to ensure that misleading information and harmful content are effectively managed. His call for transparency about combating misinformation is timely and necessary.
**Editor**: You mentioned the responsibility of social media platforms. Can you elaborate on the specific risks associated with misinformation, particularly on a platform like TikTok?
**Dr. Carter**: Absolutely. TikTok’s format—short, engaging videos—can rapidly disseminate both accurate information and misinformation. Studies have shown that health misinformation spreads even faster on these platforms because the content is often appealing and easily digestible for users, especially teenagers and children. The danger lies in the potential for users to take health advice or perceive harmful content as acceptable, which could lead to real-world negative consequences, like poor health choices or desensitization to violence [[1](https://biologicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/health-information-tiktok)].
**Editor**: In light of this, what steps should TikTok take to address these concerns effectively?
**Dr. Carter**: TikTok must implement robust content moderation and verification systems. They could also benefit from collaborating with healthcare professionals to create authoritative content that promotes media literacy among users. Utilizing features such as ‘stitch’ and ‘duet’ could encourage constructive dialogue and fact-checking among users, helping combat misinformation actively [[1](https://biologicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/health-information-tiktok)].
**Editor**: Given the nature of social media and the rapid spread of information, do you think governmental bodies should become more involved in regulating these platforms?
**Dr. Carter**: Yes, I do. Increased regulation could help ensure that platforms uphold community standards and protect vulnerable populations. However, it must be balanced with the need to protect freedom of expression. Regulators should work with tech companies to create clear guidelines for content moderation while educating the public on how to discern credible information.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights into the critical role that platforms like TikTok play in our information ecosystem and the necessary steps they should take to ensure user safety.
**Dr. Carter**: My pleasure. Thank you for discussing this important issue.
