The fastest growing social network site in 2019 with 500 million users, TikTok, has finally spoken out after several accusations from its users that the app was blocking all Black Live Matters and other liberation hashtags. The commotion has been circulating as many used #BoycottTikTok due to the app deliberately allowing racist videos to go viral while white users would allegedly steal black content with no credit.
Many TikTokers were unable to use #GeorgeFloyd or #BlackLiveMatters because it was these – among other hashtags – that were blocked from the app, turning tons of people against TikTok altogether. Some took to Twitter expressing their dissatisfaction with the apology that the company issued, as they never acknowledged their blocking black creator’s content.
“We acknowledge and apologize to our Black creators and community who have felt unsafe, unsupported, or suppressed.”
“We stand with the Black community and are proud to provide a platform where #blacklivesmatter and #georgefloyd generate powerful and important content with over 1 billion views. We are committed to fostering a space where everyone is seen and heard.”
TikTok said it plans to set up a “creator diversity council” that will be sure that “recognizing and uplifting the voices driving culture, creativity, and important conversations on the platform.”
Despite the heat that it is dealing with, the app is a true game-changer as it is the platform that several celebrities like Drake have been able to break records with their songs going viral when fans use the platform to create trending dances that continue to shine light on the music in a different and unique way. The TikTok app surpassed 2 billion all-time global downloads across iOS and Android devices according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower — becoming the go-to launchpad for memes and internet culture across the board. Reports share most recently that YouTube is now looking to create an in-app feature for shortform video-sharing similar to the global app.
How do you think the social network should have handled this situation?
