TikTok Sparks Concerns After Internal Lists Were Discovered That Track Gay Users
Popular social media app TikTok, known for its short-form videos, reportedly created tracking lists for internal use that identified users who were LGBTQIA+ based on the content they watch. According to The Wall Street Journal, former employees of TikTok lodged complaints about the categorisation of users as LGBTQIA+ citing concerns over user privacy and potential discrimination.
Big Brother Is Watching
The Network Advertising Initiative is a leading industry group that sets standards for online privacy and data collection and they forbid its members from focusing on someone based on their identity as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, reports Advocate. TikTok does not require users to identify their sexuality before or during the use of their platform, which raises concerns about user privacy and potential discrimination.
Employees have reported that TikTok has ceased the practice by deleting the feature on the internal dashboards that allowed them to search for the users listed as gay, reports The Wall Street Journal. However, concerns linger about China’s access to these data sets with many questioning the app’s commitment to security.
TikTok has faced criticism in the past over its handling of user directed content. The moderators and algorithms that work to keep the platform functioning have been accused of “shadowbanning” certain content creators and videos. Specific examples were made clear during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 where users reported diminishing engagement after posting support for the movement, reports TIME. TikTok released a statement at the time apologising to its Black creators.
TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms and with more than one billion users, it’s important to recognise how your activity is being tracked and surveilled. LGBTQIA+ individuals use the app to share stories, promote movements and inspire solidarity among the community. Although TikTok doesn’t appear to actively hinder this, it’s important to remain vigilant with how host programs monitor and control which voices are being heard.
