TikTok takes action against deepfakes to prevent misinformation among users
The social network mandates warning labels for fake videos
To address the possibility of a US ban on its app, TikTok has revised its content control procedures, placing greater emphasis on limiting the sharing of AI deepfakes, which have become increasingly popular on the platform.
Although TikTok’s moderation guidelines regarding sexual content, violence, and hate speech remain largely unchanged, the updated policies now specifically prohibit “synthetic and manipulated media,” including AI deepfakes.
Previously, TikTok’s deepfake policies were limited to a single sentence prohibiting content that distorted the truth of events. The new policies require all realistic AI-generated and edited content to be clearly labelled as such, either in the video caption or as an overlay sticker.
TikTok also bans deepfakes of non-public figures and celebrity endorsements, considering anyone who is at least 18 years old and has “a substantial public function” to be a public figure.
In an effort to be more transparent about its rules and enforcement processes, TikTok is publishing a list of eight “Community Principles” that guide its decision-making, with a focus on preventing harm and enabling free expression, even though these updated policies do not directly address the potential ban on the app.
