TikTok ensures that the relevant public data and information are available on the platform, which is one of the ways it helps its users stay safe and educated during the pandemic. Similarly, TikTok can assist in sharing credible information with the public by forming relationships with government agencies such as the Department of Health.
According to Kristoffer Rada, TikTok Head for Public Policy, “TikTok is taking a proactive and holistic approach to countering misinformation on the platform. We have teamed up with experts across the industry, civil society, and public health, along with our own Content Advisory Council, in order to develop adequate policies, enforce strategies, and be able to stay ahead of rapidly evolving content. The current partnership we have with the DOH reinforces this commitment. As part of the Check The FAQs campaign we actively remove misleading or false COVID-19 information. Through our creators and medical professionals on the platform we also help promote accurate information that would help Filipinos make an informed choice about getting vaccinated.”
Dr. Beverly C. Ho, MPH, DOH Director for Health Promotion, says, “Parallel to our COVID-19 Vaccination campaign RESBAKUNA: Kasangga ng BIDA, TikTok, along with all the Filipino health creators, have been our allies in the battle against vaccine misinformation and hesitancy during this pandemic. The Health Promotion Bureau recognizes the potential this partnership holds in increasing vaccine confidence, easing the apprehensions of the people, and in forwarding correct information to a wider audience.” She adds, “HPB is thankful that the Check The FAQs campaign has put various equally entertaining and informative content in the limelight. We look forward to more of these engaging materials as we continue to get more Filipinos vaccinated. Sama-sama tayong lahat sa #BIDABakunation!”
TikTok’s Community Guidelines are designed to help combat medical misinformation on the platform by prohibiting users from posting false or misleading content, particularly in relation to COVID-19. This includes misinformation regarding vaccines, anti-vaccine disinformation, and paid advertising that promotes against vaccination. The TikTok platform also houses a dedicated Check The FAQs banner that sits on the discover page, which connects users to credible Covid-19 information as well as creative videos, not only from our creators but also from healthcare professionals.
Call-to-action information relating to COVID-19 vaccinations is only accepted on a case-by-case basis, as long as it is in the public’s best interests. False or misleading content, as well as accounts that disseminate misinformation, are recognized and removed from TikTok by professionally trained employees. False information and anything that violates TikTok’s Community Guidelines are also urged to be reported by community members. Suspicious networks and activities are also recognized and notified within the app using industry-leading threat detection platforms. Any Covid-19 information uploaded on TikTok is thoroughly checked for veracity by fact-checking partners such as Agence France-Presse (AFP). The Department of Health evaluates all vaccination-related films published on TikTok’s Covid-19 mainpage and approves those that include accurate vaccine information.
Only content with verified facts is broadly circulated in users’ For You feeds, reducing the risk of misleading information spreading within the program. Anti-vaccine and Covid-19 misinformation will not be recommended to users, and a banner warning viewers of misinformation will be displayed. False content is removed from TikTok, and queries linked to COVID-19 or vaccination misinformation are directed to the app’s Community Guidelines. Anti-vaccine hashtags are also not found in searches. Anyone who search for coronavirus-related hashtags on TikTok will see an in-app alert with links to reliable sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) website and local public health authorities.
TikTok has the most up-to-date COVID-19 news and information. Install the app on your iOS or Android device right now.
No Comments