TikTok issues guidelines for content moderation amid growing pressure

FILE -- The TikTok Inc. building is seen in Culver City, Calif. on March 17, 2023. On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, TikTok rolled out updated rules and standards for content and users, as it faced increasing pressure from Western authorities over concerns that material on the popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app could be used to push false information. There are eight principles that are used to guide content moderation decisions, according to a set of community guidelines released by the company. AP Photo Damian Dovarganes ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON AP - TikTok has rolled out updated rules and standards for content and users, as it faces increased pressure from Western authorities over concerns that material on the popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app could be used to push false information.

The community guidelines included eight principles to guide content moderation decisions, as well as a reorganized set of community guidelines.

Julie de Bailliencourt, TikTok's global head of product policy, said these principles are based on our commitment to uphold human rights and aligned with international legal frameworks.

She said that TikTok strives to be fair, protect human dignity and balance freedom of expression with preventing harm.

A growing number of governments have banned TikTok from devices used for official business in the US and Asia-Pacific, where it is concerned that it could be used to push pro-Beijing narratives and misinformation.

There is no evidence to suggest that this has happened, or that TikTok has turned over user data to the Chinese government, as some critics have argued it would do.

CEO Shou Zi Chew is scheduled to appear in the U.S. Congress Thursday, where he will be questioned about the company's privacy and data-security practices and relationship with the Chinese government.

The guidelines, which took effect April 21, were repackaged from TikTok's existing rules with additional details and explanations.

Additional details about its restrictions on deepfakes, also known as synthetic media created by artificial intelligence technology, are among the more significant changes. TikTok explains its policy by saying that all deepfakes or manipulated content that show realistic scenes must be labeled to indicate they're fake or altered in some way.

TikTok had previously banned deepfakes that mislead viewers about real-world events and cause harm. Its updated guidelines say deepfakes of private figures and young people are not allowed.

Deepfakes of public figures are OK in certain circumstances, such as for artistic or educational content, but not for political or commercial endorsements.