- By Anushka Vats
- Tue, 21 Mar 2023 07:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
TikTok on Tuesday rolled out new rules and standards for content and users, amid the Western countries barring the Chinese-owned video app over security concerns.
The company released a reorganised set of community guidelines that include eight principles to guide content moderation decisions.
The guidelines, which take effect April 21, were repackaged from TikTok's existing rules with extra details and explanations.
"These principles are based on our commitment to uphold human rights and aligned with international legal frameworks," said Julie de Bailliencourt, TikTok's global head of product policy.
She said TikTok strives to be fair, protect human dignity and balance freedom of expression with preventing harm.
The Chinese-owned app has drawn criticism in the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, where an increasing number of governments have banned TikTok from devices used for official business due to concerns that it poses risks to cybersecurity and data privacy or that it could be used to spread propaganda in favor of Beijing.
However, so far, there is no evidence to support the claims that this has happened or that TikTok has turned over user data to the Chinese government, as some of its critics have argued it would do.
Meanwhile, CEO Shou Zi Chew will also be appearing before the US congress on Thursday, where he will be questioned about the company's privacy and data-security practices and relationship with the Chinese government.
Among the more significant changes are additional details about its restrictions on deepfakes, also known as synthetic media created by artificial intelligence technology.
TikTok makes its policy more explicit, stating that all deepfakes or manipulated content that depicts realistic scenes must bear a label indicating that they are fake or has been changed in some way.
Earlier, the Chinese app banned deepfakes that mislead viewers about real-world events and cause harm. Its updated guidelines say deepfakes of private figures and young people are also not allowed.
Deepfakes of public figures are only allowed in certain contexts, including for artistic or educational content, but not for political or commercial endorsements.
(With inputs from agency)
