Social Media Giant TikTok has made a significant announcement, signalling a commitment to enhancing user experience and safety. They have unveiled a refreshed set of Community Guidelines, which serve as the bedrock for defining acceptable behavior and content on the platform.
In addition to these guidelines, TikTok has, for the first time, shared its Community Principles, reinforcing its dedication to human rights and international legal standards.
TikTok’s newly disclosed Community Principles underlying the platform’s unwavering commitment to upholding human rights. These principles serve as the compass guiding the company’s content moderation decisions. They prioritize fairness, the preservation of human dignity, and the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the prevention of harm. TikTok’s move to align its principles with international legal frameworks underscores its global responsibility.
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Community input and global consultations
TikTok’s commitment to user safety is evident in the extensive consultations conducted during the formulation of these refreshed guidelines. Over 100 organizations worldwide, along with members of the TikTok community, provided valuable input. This inclusive approach allowed TikTok to bolster its rules and proactively respond to emerging threats and potential harms.
Key Updates and Enhancements
The updated Community Guidelines introduce several notable changes:
Advanced Treatment of Synthetic Media: TikTok has strengthened its stance on synthetic media to combat misinformation and deepfakes.
‘Tribe’ as a Protected Attribute: In a bid to combat hate speech, ‘tribe’ has been added as a protected attribute.
Civic and Election Integrity: TikTok has expanded on its efforts to protect civic and election integrity, offering greater detail on this front.
Thematic Organization and Four Pillars of Moderation
TikTok has restructured its guidelines, organizing them thematically into different topic areas. For each area, such as Behavioral & Mental Health, TikTok succinctly outlines what is not allowed and provides comprehensive definitions and potential actions they might take.
They have also articulated the four pillars of their moderation approach:
Removing Violative Content: TikTok is committed to swiftly removing content that violates its guidelines.
Age-Restricting Mature Content: Content deemed mature is age-restricted, ensuring it’s not accessible to younger audiences.
For You Feed Eligibility: Content not suitable for a broad audience is ineligible for recommendation in the For You feed.
Empowering the Community: TikTok empowers users with information, tools, and resources to control their experience on the platform.
Transparency in Enforcement
TikTok’s updated guidelines provide greater transparency in their enforcement strategy. They share insights into actions taken against accounts that breach the rules, the considerations involved in rule enforcement in the public interest, and the use of informational labels, warnings, and opt-in screens.
TikTok’s Commitment to Safety
TikTok is committed to providing a safer, more inclusive, and authentic online environment for its global community. They believe that feeling safe is a fundamental prerequisite for unlocking imagination and creative expression. This commitment extends to ongoing investments in enhancing the platform’s safety measures and staying ahead of emerging threats.
In conclusion, TikTok’s refreshed Community Guidelines and Community Principles represent a significant step forward in prioritizing user safety, human rights, and responsible content management. TikTok remains grateful to its community and external experts whose contributions continue to shape and fortify its rules, ensuring a more secure and enjoyable online experience for all users.