As South Africa prepares for its democratic elections on May 29, TikTok has taken proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as social media continues to play a critical role in shaping public opinion and political discourse.
TikTok removes around 2 million pieces of content every day. AI systems identify 77% of the content, and human moderators identify the remaining 23%. For example, during the summit, TikTok showcased how their AI algorithms can quickly flag and remove misinformation at the Trust & Accountability Centre, which took place at its Singaporean offices for the Trust & Transparency summit.
TikTok removed over 721,120 videos in Q4 2023 with a proactive removal rate of 96.1% and 86.3% removed within 24 hours to prevent false information. They work with lawmakers and experts to stay ahead of emerging threats to electoral integrity, ensuring a safe and trustworthy platform.
The AI technology on TikTok monitors user-generated content to prevent the spread of misinformation and harmful content related to the elections. Human moderators work tirelessly to ensure that the platform shares only verified information, ultimately creating a safer and more trustworthy environment for users.
TikTok’s In-App Election Center: A Hub of Verified Information
TikTok has launched an in-app election center. This feature serves as a central hub where users can access authoritative information about the South African elections directly from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) by collaborating with numerous government agencies and fact-checking groups, including Politifact, Africa Check, the International Fact-Checking Network, and Thomson Reuters.
According to the company, any user, government officials and authorized organizations can report content that doesn’t align with TikTok guidelines so appropriated action can be taken.
By involving relevant government bodies in the decision-making process, TikTok aims to maintain transparency and accountability in content moderation.
In line with its commitment to platform integrity, TikTok maintains a policy against paid political advertising. Accounts belonging to politicians or political parties are not permitted to advertise or monetize on the platform
Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda’s TikTok’s Public Policy and Government Relations Director statement highlights TikTok’s dedication to ensuring a safe and reliable environment for users, especially during crucial events such as elections.
TikTok’s initiatives represent a significant step towards ensuring a democratic process that is transparent, credible, and free from the influence of misinformation.
Source: https://www.itnewsafrica.com/2024/05/inside-tiktoks-trust-transparency-summit-electoral-processes/