TikTok, one of the famous Chinese video-sharing app in the world, is now facing another controversy after a report said that the platform intentionally suppresses videos that contain ugly users, videos that have disabled people, and even queer users. Other than that, videos that are showing fat people and even TikTok videos showing political views are also being removed by the app. Is this true?
Can't see your videos on TikTok? Here's a possible reason why
In an exclusive report made by The Intercept, the news agency detailed how TikTok is an app that was 'racist' and 'suppressor.' Using their obtained "internal documents," the agency was able to pinpoint why there are TikTok videos that get deleted or easily removed on their public database.
According to them, TikTok removes all kinds of videos that show too ugly faces, poor people, or even disabled persons. The platform also allegedly bans users that upload content with political views as they deemed it as destroying the 'national honor.'
Aside from that, the app was also said to easily censor a lot of videos that promote homosexuality on content and keep their users uninformed on why their videos were deleted.
"Abnormal body shape," "ugly facial looks," dwarfism, and "obvious beer belly," "too many wrinkles," "eye disorders," and many other "low quality" traits are all enough to keep uploads out of the algorithmic fire hose. Videos in which "the shooting environment is shabby and dilapidated," including but "not limited to ... slums, rural fields" and "dilapidated housing" were also systematically hidden from new users, though "rural beautiful natural scenery could be exempted," the document notes.
Based on the document that they investigated, TikTok has been deleting and removing certain contents on their platform for new users to use their app. Accordingly, new users will not be entertained to try the app if the videos they're seeing are not pleasing in their eyes or mind.
Not only that, but The Intercept also found out that TikTok allegedly speaks to their "influencers" most of the time for them to know the new rules that ByteDance will require them to do.
"Operators who spoke directly to influencers and official content creators always make video conferences with groups to pass 'safety rules,' thus reducing the chances of creating videos that go against what [ByteDance] think is right," the source told The Intercept.
TikTok answers back saying that suppressing videos are made to fight against bullying
Josh Gartner, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at TikTok, admitted that the app is "artificially suppressing" videos that they deemed too ugly or political in the eyes of their audiences for bullying to be lessened on the community.
When he was asked why TikTok censors political views on their platform, the official said that "like all platforms, we have policies that protect our users, and protect national security. For example, banning any accounts that promote hate speech or terrorism, as outlined in our Community Standards."
When Gartner was asked about the video conferences with the 'influencers,' the official did not comment on the issue.
