TikTok is enhancing its efforts to combat misinformation, violence incitement, and hate speech pertaining to the Israel-Hamas conflict on its online platform. This announcement follows the recent warning from the European Union (EU) to social media companies about potential violations of the bloc's content moderation laws.
To achieve this objective, TikTok is introducing a command center to facilitate better coordination among its global team of "safety professionals." Additionally, it is updating its software to more effectively identify and delete graphic and violent content automatically. Furthermore, the company is recruiting more moderators proficient in Arabic and Hebrew to oversee the platform's content.
TikTok immediately deployed substantial resources and personnel to ensure the safety of their community and uphold the integrity of their platform following the violent attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians on October 7. In a statement, TikTok emphasized their intolerance towards any efforts to incite violence or promote hateful ideologies. They have implemented a strict zero-tolerance policy against content that glorifies violent and hateful organizations or individuals.
The impacted region witnessed the removal of over 500,000 videos and the closure of 8,000 livestream videos since the Hamas attack; as reported by the firm, which is owned by Chinas ByteDance.
A Messenger mobile app displayed on a smartphone screen alongside that of Facebook, Instagram, X, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, on August 15, 2023.
Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
During the escalating Israel-Hamas war, Gaza has been subjected to a blockade by Israel, depriving its residents of essential resources like electricity, food, fuel, and water. In response, a significant number of individuals have sought updates on social media platforms, leading to the dissemination of misinformation across these sites.
A recent TikTok video, reviewed by CNN and viewed by over 300,000 users, spread conspiracy theories regarding the origins of the Hamas attack. False allegations included the claim that the attack was orchestrated by the media.
The European Union (EU) issued a directive to social media companies last week, emphasizing the need for improved protection of "children and teenagers from violent content and terrorist propaganda" on their platforms.
EU Commissioner Thierry Breton sent a letter to TikTok on Thursday, urging the platform to outline within 24 hours the measures it was implementing to adhere to EU regulations pertaining to content moderation. Breton has also sent similar letters to X, Google, and Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook.
