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TikTok: Cheerfulness and censorship

netzpolitik.org

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Re: TikTok: Cheerfulness and censorship

#3

Post by facethrowaway »

This is pretty tame and actually sounds pretty pragmatic and well-organized in a non-threatening manner, especially given the target audience (kids). Moderating for different countries’ rules is a requirement unless you want to get kicked out of lots of markets.

The real concern I have is in the fact that things below 50 views don’t get much moderation attention, which is the same across all platforms, and where we see the most risk for these platforms to be used to bully people within small social groups (such as at school).

Anyone who thinks Facebook doesn’t similarly optimize the content within Explore etc is delusional. It would be interesting to compare the information these companies offer national security organizations.

Re: TikTok: Cheerfulness and censorship

#4

Post by pgeorgi »

Their approach to moderation is unusual in that they don't even pretend to be a neutral platform and as such it's a powerful differentiator to businesses that are rooted in a "free speech" culture.

Shadow-banning individual posts ("Visible to self") is relatively unusual and acts as a demotivator to publish controversial content because such content doesn't drive engagement, as is actively demoting entire classes of content (like critical commentary on politics) from the start.

This approach seems to help ensure that there won't ever be a subculture on their platform that grows, becomes controversial and at some point considers it their right to use the platform for their controversial content, avoiding all the outrage that late introduction of moderation brings with it. (see Twitter)

Re: TikTok: Cheerfulness and censorship

#6

Post by s9w »

I can't see how TikTik censors more than facebook or most other social platforms. This seems only to be a concern since it's the "other" side (Chinese in this case) doing it.

> the search for keywords controversial from the point of view of the Chinese Government [...] did not yield any or only very few fitting content

Yeah I could give you a nice list of words that results in an similar results page from Google, Youtube or Facebook.

Re: TikTok: Cheerfulness and censorship

#7

Post by fwxwi »

TikTok is, as the title says, a social network for cheerfulness and fun. I don't use it, but I can understand they outright ban politics: 1) they avoid becoming the vile cesspool Twitter has become, 2) they avoid being asked by governments around the world to take down posts, 3) they avoid being targeted in propaganda campaigns.

Re: TikTok: Cheerfulness and censorship

#8

Post by spectramax »

s9w wrote: post #6

I can't see how TikTik censors more than facebook or most other social platforms. This seems only to be a concern since it's the "other" side (Chinese in this case) doing it. > the search for keywords controversial from the point of view of the Chinese Government [...] did not yield any or only very few fitting content Yeah I could give you a nice list of words that results in an similar results page from Google, You…

Not really. Try rallying up support against Xi Jingpin on TikTok?

Re: TikTok: Cheerfulness and censorship

#9

Post by joeraut »

I'm surprised that they moderate every video with over 50-150 views, that seems quite unique in this market. This is probably largely a good thing though given the target market of kids/teenagers.

It's already very interesting seeing how this is playing out.

Re: TikTok: Cheerfulness and censorship

#10

Post by fwxwi »

pgeorgi wrote: post #4

Their approach to moderation is unusual in that they don't even pretend to be a neutral platform and as such it's a powerful differentiator to businesses that are rooted in a "free speech" culture. Shadow-banning individual posts ("Visible to self") is relatively unusual and acts as a demotivator to publish controversial content because such content doesn't drive engagement, as is actively demoting entire classes of…

Or Tumblr with pornography.
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