TikTok has ramped up its efforts to protect its Filipino community, as outlined in its Q3 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report. The platform removed 4.58 million videos in the Philippines between July and September 2024, primarily for guideline violations. Impressively, 99.7% of these were proactively detected, and 98% were taken down within 24 hours, reflecting TikTok’s strong commitment to using advanced moderation tools and human review teams.
Enhancing Platform Integrity
TikTok’s efforts to maintain a safe community on its platform were highlighted during a recent visit to its ByteDance office in Singapore. During this visit, TikTok shared details about its ongoing initiatives to combat fake news and safeguard election integrity, particularly in the Philippines.
In May 2024, TikTok rolled out updated Community Guidelines after consulting global organizations. These revisions simplify language and provide more detailed guidelines, ensuring greater accessibility for creators and users alike.
Tackling Election Misinformation
One key initiative introduced by TikTok is the Philippine Elections Center. This in-app hub offers verified election-related content in collaboration with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE). TikTok is taking several actions to counter election misinformation, including:
- Working closely with fact-checking organizations
- Reducing visibility for unverifiable claims
- Prohibiting political advertising and monetization
Additionally, TikTok’s global election integrity team actively works to detect and remove deceptive accounts involved in covert influence operations.
Promoting AI Transparency and Media Literacy
TikTok has become the first video-sharing platform to implement Content Credentials technology from C2PA. This feature automatically labels AI-generated content from select third-party platforms. Over 37 million creators globally are now using TikTok’s AIGC labeling tool, fostering transparency and media literacy among its users.
Strengthening Safety Measures
TikTok has also organized several initiatives to engage with stakeholders and promote platform safety. The platform recently held briefing sessions with:
- 30 civil society organizations specializing in social issues
- Over 40 Filipino creators in collaboration with the Center for Inclusive and Creative Partnerships (CICP)
- Election watchdogs and government agencies
These sessions addressed emerging safety threats, maintained election integrity, and further strengthened the platform’s safety policies.
Digital Literacy Campaign
As part of its commitment to fostering a safer digital environment, TikTok launched the #ThinkTwice Digital Literacy Campaign. This campaign encourages users to critically assess content before creating or sharing it. Topics such as misinformation, hate speech, and AI-generated content are highlighted, along with a focus on promoting positivity and responsible sharing.
Ensuring Safety on TikTok Shop
TikTok has also taken measures to secure its e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop. Between January and June 2024, the platform invested over USD 500 million in safety tools and personnel. Some key steps taken include:
- Preventing 37 million product listings that violated policies
- Deactivating over 1 million seller accounts
- Removing e-commerce features from 500,000 creators who violated policies
The #TikTokShopSmart campaign provides users with resources for safer online shopping. All sellers are rigorously verified, ensuring compliance with local regulations and promoting a secure shopping experience.
A Commitment to Safety and Integrity
TikTok’s continuous efforts to improve platform safety demonstrate its commitment to protecting users, especially in the Philippines, as it navigates challenges related to misinformation, election integrity, and online safety. By investing in advanced tools, collaborating with experts, and prioritizing education, TikTok is shaping a more secure and transparent digital space for all.
