Video-sharing social media network TikTok has largely been responsive to removing specific instances of misinformation reported on its platform -- but has not taken sufficient action against accounts that repeatedly peddle election-related lies. As a result, the platform appears to be struggling to control the overall spread of election and voting conspiracy theories at a critical time when ballots are still being counted and the American people need clarity.
A lack of consistent enforcement of the company’s community standards has made TikTok a hub for election misinformation, a problem that can have dangerous real-life consequences. A plot to attack a Philadelphia vote counting location was stopped by police this week and the armed suspect’s vehicle was reportedly decorated with a window decal supporting the QAnon conspiracy theory, which has spread widely on social media networks in recent years. Unfounded conspiracy theories about mass voter fraud are now circulating on social media, emboldening far-right groups and individuals protesting outside election centers -- and TikTok has played a role in enabling the rapid spread of these dangerous misinformation campaigns.
Media Matters previously reported on a QAnon election conspiracy theory which spread on the platform claiming that President Donald Trump secretly worked with the Department of Homeland Security to watermark legitimate mail-in ballots ahead of Election Day in order to prove that Democrats are committing mass voter fraud by submitting fake ballots that lacked a watermark. TikTok almost immediately removed the identified videos that were pushing this absurd theory, yet when searching the very next day for “watermark ballots” on the platform, nearly all of the resulting top videos showed users peddling the conspiracy theory, as well as other viral videos pushing the false claim.
This example is just one illustration of why TikTok must go further -- by more proactively monitoring and addressing several aspects of the platform to limit the proliferation of sometimes dangerous falsehoods and conspiracy theories.
TikTok’s algorithm allows small, unknown accounts to quickly spread viral misinformation
When it comes to reach on TikTok, a user’s follower count does not necessarily reflect how far their content will spread. Coordinated misinformation campaigns from relatively small accounts have spread quickly across the platform because of the site’s design and algorithm.
The platform provides users with two content feeds: one that displays videos from accounts they are following, and one for content curated by TikTok’s algorithm. The curated page, known as the “For You feed,” is based on users’ interactions, video information, and device and account settings. As TikTok explains:
