In an era dominated by social media, the pressing need to prioritize privacy and transparency has reached a pivotal juncture. As individuals willingly share their lives online, understanding the mechanisms governing data use has become a critical societal concern. Social media platforms offer both opportunities for connection and communication and potential risks of misuse of user data. Preserving privacy and promoting transparency are not just ethical imperatives but crucial for fostering trust, user empowerment, and a digital landscape that respects individual rights.
Recent discussions surrounding the National Security Council's concerns about TikTok, the popular video-hosting platform owned by ByteDance, have brought to light the delicate balance required in addressing these issues. The NSC's calls to ban TikTok, citing espionage concerns due to its Chinese ownership, raise questions about the technical capabilities behind such claims. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) emphasizes the need for concrete evidence before making whimsical decisions, urging a more measured approach.
“…I think a whimsical decision to just ban anything because we do not like it or there is so much rumor or there is so much talk without concrete factual evidence-based reason for it,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy being quoted at the sidelines of a startup conference in Bohol recently.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is a globally owned entity with diverse international investors and a non-governmental board. The claim that TikTok manipulates content to favor the Chinese government lacks foundation, as the platform ensures content diversity and maintains independence from government influence. Transparency in content moderation is underscored by an oversight team led by the US and Ireland, following established processes and legal guidelines.
Contrary to misconceptions, TikTok prioritizes user privacy, employing industry-standard controls, encryption, and authorization protocols for secure data access. The platform's privacy policy (updated last 01 December 2023) transparently outlines data collection practices, emphasizing user experience, functionality, and security. Users have rights to access, delete, and update their data, and TikTok proactively enforces community guidelines to ensure a safe online environment.
While acknowledging concerns raised by organizations like Mozilla regarding data protection and the impact of dark money on political influence, TikTok has taken steps to address these issues. The platform's commitment to transparency is evident in its efforts to provide users with more visibility even into advertisements and enforce policies that ensure responsible advertising practices.
The platform, for example, distinguishes sponsored content with a "sponsored" label, providing users with information about ad creative, ad spend, impressions, and targeted demographics. Advertisers must adhere to guidelines promoting appropriate and respectful content, and TikTok balances personalized advertising with user privacy.
TikTok's dedication to safety is evident in its 2023 Q2 Community Guidelines Enforcement Reportl, showcasing proactive measures and swift actions. In the Philippines alone, 4,596,976 videos violating Community Guidelines were removed, with 99.2% proactively removed, 92.4% removed before any views, and 96.3% removed within 24 hours. Globally, 106,476,032 videos were removed, with 66,440,775 removed by automation. User reports saw a 91.6% action rate within two hours. Data from the platform showed that 8,074,632 live sessions were suspended globally, with 252,045 successfully appealed.
When it comes to the proliferation of fake news and misinformation, according to the platform, they took action against inauthentic activity, preventing 62,447,727 fake accounts globally and removing 107,917,818 accounts for policy violations. This includes the removal of 26,698,514 associated videos. The platform also removed 252,938,522 fake followers and prevented 21,535,156,596 fake follow requests.
In the broader context of social media regulation, it is crucial to entrust specialized agencies like the DICT with matters related to the Internet and social media. Censorship poses risks to free expression and the exchange of ideas, making a nuanced and informed approach essential. Empowering agencies with technological expertise allows for targeted responses to the complexities of the digital landscape, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between security imperatives and the principles of a free and open web. Instead of suppressing information or platforms, a constructive approach involves fostering digital literacy, promoting responsible use, and implementing regulations that strike a balance between national security and individual freedoms.