TikTok finds itself a major platform in a major international situation

The perception of major international events is mediated by the platforms that are used to broadcast it; Russia’s hideous invasion of Ukraine is no exception. Twitter sees policy wonks thread grand narratives; Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy makes effective use of Instagram to speak to his citizens and the world; TikTok, meanwhile, has become an instrument of speedy reportage that has thrust it into the hot seat.

Why it matters

TikTok’s emergence and growth has, for the most part, been about a ballooning of fun, often funny, content made by and for young people.

But the attack on Ukraine has changed TikTok’s position as it falls under harsh new laws imposed in Russia, where according to WIRED the app has 28.5 million users.

While the platform is in a tense media moment, the attention and regard it has gained will have implications for TikTok as a media destination of consequence.

What’s happening

Following an increasing number of quickly made videos on the platform reporting what was happening as Russia launched its full scale invasion on the sovereign nation of Ukraine, and its use as a tool for journalists, TikTok has found itself snarled up in a new ‘fake news’ law.

Announcing its response on Twitter, TikTok’s comms department explained:

“In light of Russia's new ‘fake news’ law, we have no choice but to suspend livestreaming and new content to our video service while we review the safety implications of this law. Our in-app messaging service will not be affected.”

TikTok joins a number of media services, both platforms and channels, that have pulled out of the country either as a protest against the invasion or, in the case of journalistic organisations, as a result of the law change.

As part of Russia’s crackdown on content describing the war as a ‘war’ or ‘invasion’ as fake news (the preferred term is ‘special operation'), Meta’s Facebook has already been blocked.

No plain sailing

• Despite TikTok’s importance as a source of information, there are also concerns about the authenticity and veracity of the information circulating on the platform. Brands should note this.
• As TikTok grows up, and becomes more important in the global information ecosystem, it will have to get a hold on livestreams and broadcasts that seek financial or attention rewards. The firm says it is growing its team of European moderators in response.
• A significant problem is the opacity of the algorithm, which is currently highlighting content surrounding the invasion. As the FT points out, the company’s response contrasts with the swiftness with which it responds to risky content concerning China. 

Sourced from WIRED, TikTok, FT. [Image: TikTok]