TikTok went on a counteroffensive Tuesday amid rising Western stress over cybersecurity and misinformation issues, rolling out up to date guidelines and requirements for content material as its CEO warned in opposition to a attainable U.S. ban on the Chinese language-owned video sharing app.
CEO Shou Zi Chew is scheduled to look Thursday earlier than U.S. congressional lawmakers, who will grill him concerning the firm’s privateness and data-security practices and relationship with the Chinese language authorities.
Chew mentioned in a TikTok video that the listening to “comes at a pivotal second” for the corporate, after lawmakers launched measures that will increase the Biden administration’s authority to enact a U.S. ban on the app, which the CEO mentioned greater than 150 million People use.
“Some politicians have began speaking about banning TikTok. Now this might take TikTok away from all 150 million of you,” mentioned Chew, who was dressed casually in denims and blue hoodie, with the dome of the U.S. Capitol in Washington within the background.
“I will be testifying earlier than Congress this week to share all that we’re are doing to guard People utilizing the app,” he mentioned.
TikTok app has come below fireplace within the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific, the place a rising variety of governments have banned TikTok from gadgets used for official enterprise over worries it poses dangers to cybersecurity and information privateness or might be used to push pro-Beijing narratives and misinformation.
Thus far, there is no such thing as a proof to counsel this has occurred or that TikTok has turned over consumer information to the Chinese language authorities, as a few of its critics have argued it might do.
Norway and the Netherlands on Tuesday warned apps like TikTok shouldn’t be put in on telephones issued to authorities workers, each citing safety or intelligence companies.
There is a “excessive threat” if TikTok or Telegram are put in on gadgets which have entry to “inside digital infrastructure or companies,” Norway’s justice ministry mentioned, with out offering additional particulars.
TikTok additionally rolled out up to date guidelines and requirements for content material and customers in a reorganized set of group tips that embody eight ideas to information content material moderation selections.
“These ideas are based mostly on our dedication to uphold human rights and aligned with worldwide authorized frameworks,” mentioned Julie de Bailliencourt, TikTok’s international head of product coverage.
She mentioned TikTok strives to be honest, defend human dignity and stability freedom of expression with stopping hurt.
The rules, which take impact April 21, have been repackaged from TikTok’s present guidelines with further particulars and explanations.
Among the many extra important modifications are further particulars about its restrictions on deepfakes, also referred to as artificial media created by synthetic intelligence know-how. TikTok extra clearly spells out its coverage, saying all deepfakes or manipulated content material that present lifelike scenes have to be labeled to point they’re pretend or altered indirectly.
TikTok had beforehand banned deepfakes that mislead viewers about real-world occasions and trigger hurt. Its up to date tips say deepfakes of personal figures and younger individuals are additionally not allowed.
Deepfakes of public figures are OK in sure contexts, akin to for inventive or instructional content material, however not for political or business endorsements.
