TikTok has transformed from a platform primarily known for dance challenges and lip-syncing to becoming one of the leading sources of information, particularly for the younger generation. Yet, this widespread adoption hasn't come without drawbacks. Its accessibility has allowed for the proliferation of misinformation and deepfakes, casting shadows over its potential as a genuine news source.
A significant aspect of TikTok’s role as a misinformation hub emerged through several incidents reported over 2023 and 2024. For starters, a TikTok video circulated falsely claiming United States President Joe Biden prompted Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote to set fuel prices at N150 to reduce economic hardships. A fact-check conducted by DUBAWA debunked this assertion, noting the lack of credible media coverage around such a consequential statement.
Further afield, during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria, videos appeared showing demonstrators waving Russian flags, leading to speculation about foreign involvement. DUBAWA's investigation revealed this was orchestrated by a prominent TikTok influencer using misleading hashtags aimed at instigulating foreign intervention, thereby intensifying public unrest.
Another incident showcased TikTok users repurposing video footage of building collapses and earthquakes, incorrectly linking them to seismic activity allegedly predicted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). These clips, cobbled from various previous disasters, lacked any legitimate connection, yet were shared widely, contributing to public panic.
On the political front, TikTok faced scrutiny from lawmakers in Taiwan. DPP representative Lin Dai-hua has called for stringent regulations on foreign platforms like TikTok after deepfake videos mockingly depicted his colleagues. For example, one altered video portrayed DPP lawmaker Ker Chien-ming disparaging his party, stating: "Taiwan in the hands of the DPP is without hope." Following these occurrences, Lin proposed amendments to Taiwan's Anti-Infiltration Act, which would compel foreign social media platforms to establish operations within Taiwan to combat potential national security threats.
Ker publically expressed confidence, stating, "The videos clearly depicted falsification and will not mislead the Taiwanese public," emphasizing the clear intention to undermine public trust. An involved DPP figure, Wang Yi-chuan, pointed out how such false narratives circulated predominantly within Kuomintang (KMT) group chats, emphasizing the alarming ties between the main opposition party and such misleading content.
The rise of misinformation is not limited to political spheres; it has also infiltrated health discussions on TikTok, which has become notorious for its dubious medical advice. A recent report from the healthcare software firm Tebra revealed alarming statistics indicating 45% of medical advice dispensed on TikTok is either false or misleading. Alternative medicine videos, for example, exhibited the highest rate of inaccuracies, clocking in at 67% of posts flagged for misinformation. Even well-meaning users may unknowingly spread dangerous health advice, often without checking the reliability of the information.
This phenomenon is particularly concerning as more users, including nearly half of TikTok’s U.S. audience, are under 30, making them prime targets for misleading medical claims. With 17% of Americans expressing equal or greater trust for TikTok compared to doctors, the risks are heightened. Creators peddling weight-loss tricks and unverified health products could unwittingly lead consumers down harmful paths.
Lin's push for heightened oversight reflects mounting anxieties surrounding the pervasive influence of misinformation on digital platforms, particularly as tensions with China deepen. By compelling foreign tech companies to comply with local regulations, Taiwanese lawmakers hope to protect the integrity of democracy against external contaminants.
While TikTok continues to provide entertainment and connection for users, it simultaneously serves as both conduit and obstruction for trustworthy information. The platform's duality raises pivotal questions about its future role as society's go-to source for news. Without active measures to counter misinformation, is TikTok destined to become nothing more than another pawn manipulated by foreign forces and harmful misinformation? Only time will tell if users can extricate themselves from this digital web, discerning the legitimate from the fabricated.
