TikTok has released a detailed update on its comprehensive measures to maintain election integrity and combat misinformation on its platform. With over 2 billion people in more than 50 countries heading to the polls this year, the social media giant is intensifying its efforts to safeguard the electoral process on TikTok.
Over the past four years, TikTok has gained experience in protecting its platform through involvement in over 150 elections worldwide. The company aims to ensure that TikTok remains a creative, safe, and civil space, particularly during this historic election year.
A key component of TikTok’s strategy is its collaboration with electoral commissions and fact-checking organizations to create Election Centers. These centers provide accurate and reliable voting information to users. In the last year alone, TikTok’s local Election Centers reached over 55 million people globally.
The upcoming US Elections Center, in partnership with Democracy Works, will offer verified voting information to more than 150 million US community members, covering all 50 states and Washington, DC. TikTok plans to direct users to the Elections Center through prompts linked to relevant election content and searches, with continuous updates throughout the year, including election results.
Media literacy plays a crucial role in TikTok’s election strategy. The company has collaborated with local creators and civil society organizations to promote best practices in media literacy, reaching millions on the platform. Throughout 2024, TikTok will continue to work with experts and fact-checking organizations globally to launch engaging media literacy campaigns focused on misinformation and AI-generated content.
Additionally, TikTok is enhancing features that provide context about content and accounts. This includes the use of blue “verified” checks for notable accounts and mandatory verification for government, politician, and political party accounts in the U.S. Content identified as unsubstantiated by fact-checkers is labeled accordingly, and TikTok plans to add media literacy resources to these labels.
More information on TikTok’s approach to election integrity can be found at their new Election Integrity Transparency Center. The platform has consulted with over 50 experts, including its Safety and Content Advisory Councils, as it prepares for the upcoming election year.
TikTok’s comprehensive approach to safeguarding election integrity is a critical step in ensuring the platform remains a trustworthy source of information during election periods. By focusing on fact-checking, media literacy, and user education, TikTok is actively working to prevent the spread of misinformation and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process. This proactive stance is essential for social media platforms, especially in an era where digital influence plays a significant role in shaping public opinion.
