Introduction
TikTok is facing investigative pressure from US Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal over its algorithm’s content selections and measures to protect young people from harmful content. The senators asked how the company tests its safety features and why it has not activated certain tools for millions of users.
Developments
According to a report by Bloomberg, TikTok tested a feature in 2021 aimed at preventing users from being excessively exposed to the same types of content, using some users as a control group. It was reported that Chase Nasca, a US teenager who was part of this group, died by suicide, and that internal company documents stated that certain content had intensified before his death.
Details
The senators requested information from TikTok about similar tests and the effects of safety features on engagement or advertising revenue. The company must respond by September 1.