TikTok announced on Thursday its implementation of new restrictions on state-backed media content to mitigate foreign influence on the platform, particularly during significant election periods across multiple countries.
The decision comes in the wake of the United States’ ultimatum for TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company or face potential expulsion from the US market over concerns regarding potential foreign interference.
Under TikTok’s updated policy, state-affiliated media seeking to disseminate content regarding “current global events and affairs” beyond their home country will no longer appear on the platform’s personalized “For You” feed.
Additionally, state-affiliated media accounts will be prohibited from advertising outside their primary affiliated country, as stated by the company.
TikTok defines state-affiliated media as outlets whose editorial decisions are subject to government control or influence.
In a blog statement, TikTok disclosed that it had identified and disrupted 15 influence operations and 3,001 associated accounts within the first four months of 2024. The majority of these operations aimed to influence political discourse, particularly in the context of elections.
Examples provided by TikTok include the disruption of a network targeting Indonesian voters ahead of the country’s presidential elections and the suppression of content artificially amplifying narratives in Britain’s domestic political discourse.
