Users tired of seeing videos with misleading information won't find the help they're looking for with TikTok's latest feature, experts say.
Why This Data Expert Says TikTok Isn't Safe
TikTok recently unveiled a new feature that notifies users if a video has been flagged as misleading information when they try to share it. Users will also receive a message to seek out trusted sources when viewing videos flagged by the system. The added level of scrutiny over videos is one of the biggest steps TikTok has taken to slow the spread of misinformation, though experts warn it may not be enough.
“We’ve heard a lot about fake news over the past five years, but we’re now entering an era where we’re dealing with a world of alternative facts, where people are only exposed to the part of the story that supports their political leanings,” Andrew Selepak, a social media professor at the University of Florida, told Lifewire via email.
Under the old system, videos flagged as unverified content weren’t eligible to appear on TikTok’s For You page, TikTok’s endless video feed that users can scroll through to find new content. Now, TikTok will also place a banner on the videos, as well as a warning when users try to share them.
