As TikTok faces increasing scrutiny and the threat of a US ban, the Chinese social media giant is implementing measures to bolster its credibility and user acceptance. In a significant move, TikTok has announced restrictions on state-backed media activities on its platform, aiming to mitigate concerns over foreign influence.
New policy details
Under TikTok’s new policy, state-backed media outlets targeting users outside their home countries with content on “current global events and affairs” will no longer appear in users’ “For You” feeds. Additionally, these media entities will be prohibited from placing advertisements outside their primary affiliated country.
TikTok defines state media as entities “whose editorial output or decision-making process is subject to control or influence by a government.”
Measures against foreign influence
TikTok has reported thwarting 15 foreign influence operations and restricting over 3,000 accounts. The company stated, “We found that a majority of these networks were attempting to influence political discourse among their target audience, including in relation to elections.”
Enhanced monetization for creators
In an effort to enhance its appeal to users and content creators, TikTok is expanding its monetization program. The platform will now allow creators with more than 1,000 followers to earn money, lowering the threshold from the previous 5,000 followers. Additionally, these creators can utilize affiliate marketing tools to generate income.
Last month, the US Congress passed legislation requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to an entity not controlled by a “foreign adversary.” Failure to comply within a year could result in a complete ban of TikTok in the US. In response to these pressures, TikTok is reportedly considering laying off hundreds of employees as part of ByteDance’s broader restructuring efforts.
These steps reflect TikTok’s ongoing strategy to navigate regulatory challenges and maintain its position in the global social media landscape.