The TikTok logo.
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TikTok has taken steps to reduce the reach of fake news circulating on its app.
The social network has set up a system to block hashtags associated with elements of disinformation, reports
Numerama.
When a user types in one of these hashtags, they land on a completely empty search page with an explanatory message: "This phrase may be associated with behavior or content that violates our guidelines."
This is particularly what appears when we search for the hashtags #StopTheSteal or #SharpieGate in the search bar.
Fraud and Felt
These two hashtags used by supporters of Donald Trump highlight conspiracy theories.
The first hashtag refers to electoral fraud without providing any proof.
The second, #SharpieGate, concerns a rumor implying that Republican ballots were invalidated due to the felt used.
Again, no argument comes to support the rumor.
Various hashtags directly associated with the US presidential election are monitored by TikTok in several languages.
Thus, the keywords #VoterFraud or # Fraude2020 for French results can bring up fake news such as videos dismantling these elements of disinformation.
The workaround applied by TikTok is also used by Facebook: by searching for stopthesteal, voterfraud or sharpiegate, we obtain a null search.
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