TikTok responds to EU demands on disinformation

TikTok, the popular short video app, announced on Sunday that it swiftly marshaled its resources and personnel to combat hate and misinformation that emerged in the aftermath of the attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel.

Thierry Breton, the EU's industry chief, had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to TikTok on Thursday, demanding a comprehensive account of the steps taken to address disinformation related to the Middle East conflict. In addition to this, he initiated an investigation into Elon Musk's company, X.

In response to these demands, TikTok released a statement outlining the measures it had undertaken, although it did not disclose the specifics of its communication with Breton.

"TikTok unequivocally denounces terrorism. We are deeply shocked and dismayed by the horrifying acts of terror in Israel witnessed last week. Our hearts also go out to those affected by the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza," TikTok declared.

TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, detailed several actions it had taken. These actions included the establishment of a dedicated command center, bolstering its automated content detection systems to swiftly remove graphic and violent material, and hiring additional moderators proficient in Arabic and Hebrew.

Furthermore, TikTok confirmed it was actively removing content that either targeted or mocked victims of violence or encouraged acts of violence. They had also imposed more stringent eligibility criteria for their live broadcast feature. The platform expressed its commitment to cooperating with law enforcement agencies and engaging with experts to address these pressing issues.