Social Media Platform TikTok's Algorithm Accelerates Proliferation of Covid-19 Vaccine Misinformation
The Dance Sensation Turned Viral Misinfo Hotbed вой
TikTok, once hailed for sparking viral dance trends and memes, is now under scrutiny for a more troubling type of viral content: the propagation of hoaxes and misinformation, centered around Covid-19 vaccines.
This week, Media Matters unveiled research findings suggesting that despite the platform's explicit community guidelines banning health misinformation, TikTok's algorithm frequently boosts lies about COVID-19 and vaccines to its mammoth 1 billion-strong user base.
During their investigation into Covid-19 misinformation on the platform, Media Matters interacted with anti-vaccination and Covid-19 misinformation contents, watching videos entirely and liking them. These actions curiously filled the account's "For You Page"-TikTok's entranceway for content recommended by its algorithm-with anti-vaccination and Covid-19 hoax videos almost exclusively.
In their report, Media Matters also traced 18 specific vaccine misinformation videos. After research, these videos collectively garnered more than 57 million total views. The monitored content included a video warning viewers that their unvaccinated children and the elderly would be permanently removed from their homes (3.9 million views) and another promoting a hoax about "vaccine bandits" who would randomly offer individual injections on the street if you hesitated (6.3 million views).
TikTok hasn't yet responded to Gizmodo's request for comment; we'll update this piece as soon as they do.
Since the onset of the pandemic, TikTok repeatedly stated its commitment to keeping Covid-19 disinformation off its platform. Following a partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide "reliable information" dispelling myths around Covid-19, the company also established an "in-app notice" designed to appear when users explore virus-related hashtags. This notice provides direct access to WHO's website and local health agencies while reminding users to report content violating community guidelines. Still, it seems the platform's algorithms remain an unwitting accomplice, amplifying dangerous misinformation it publicly vowed to stamp out.
Like any social media platform, TikTok bears great responsibility to shield its users from harmful falsehoods and medical misinformation. This responsibility intensifies due to the youthfulness of TikTok's average user, making them more susceptible to hoaxes and propaganda. If recent claims hold weight, we face a long and daunting journey before Covid-19 fades away; during this wait, the bare minimum TikTok could do is abide by its promises and eliminate its role in the spread of misinformation.
Underlying Issues:TikTok encounters significant hurdles in halting the dissemination of Covid-19 vaccine misinformation despite its community guidelines. Addressing misinformation consistently and effectively proves challenging due to:
- Inconsistent Enforcement: The platform's ability to enforce its guidelines depends on the robustness of its enforcement, which is often insufficient in keeping pace with the rapid spread of misinformation.
- User Behavior: Users may either actively propagate misinformation or lack the awareness of an information's accuracy, leading the algorithms to amplify misleading contents.
- Evolving Misinformation: Misinformation techniques evolve rapidly, making it difficult for platforms like TikTok to stay updated with the latest misinformation strategies.
- Collaboration with Health Authorities: Cooperating with health authorities and fact-checking organizations can improve efforts to combat misinformation. However, these alliances could be strengthened further to ensure accurate information reaches users efficiently.
- Education and Awareness: Encouraging user awareness about the hazards of misinformation, and teaching them how to evaluate information critically, can curb the spread of false claims. However, such efforts necessitate continuous effort and funding from both the platform and its users.
Overall, while TikTok seeks to prevent misinformation, the effectiveness of its measures is limited by the intricacies of monitoring and addressing false information in real-time on a large scale. Continuous improvements in detection and education strategies are indispensable to improve the platform's effectiveness in this domain.
- The future of technology, represented by TikTok, is facing a challenge in managing the spread of disinformation, particularly concerning Covid-19 vaccines.
- Despite TikTok's commitment to providing reliable information and stamping out vaccine misinformation, its algorithms inadvertently amplify dangerous falsehoods.
- The average TikTok user, being relatively young, is more vulnerable to the influence of hoaxes and propaganda.
- To combat this issue, TikTok needs to collaborate more with health authorities, fact-checking organizations, and invest in educating users about the dangers of misinformation.
