“TikTok restringe temas sensíveis para menores de idade e combate deepfakes”

TikTok Announces Restrictions on Weight Loss and Cosmetic Surgery Content Aimed at Minors

On Tuesday, March 21, TikTok announced there would be new restrictions on content relating to weight loss, cosmetic procedures, and other topics that may affect minors. The decision is part of the changes expected in the rules of the digital platform.

The company also presented details on electoral processes and how it will reduce the reach of synthetic media. In this sense, filters are not the target of TikTok’s action. In practice, the company has adopted new measures against deepfakes, which are images where a person’s face is altered in a scene.

It is worth noting that TikTok is currently the main social network used by younger audiences and has faced pressure from various countries, such as the United States. The government there threatens to ban the application, arguing that the tool allows for espionage by the Chinese government.

In Brazil, TikTok also faces some legal issues. One father sued the platform on the grounds of non-compliance with the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA), as the platform displayed sensitive content for minors.

In the same vein, Senacon, which is linked to the Ministry of Justice, also ordered the removal of videos from the platform in 2022.

The new rules take effect on April 21. TikTok has used artificial intelligence and other mechanisms to identify minors who attempt to deceive the application from the use of third-party data.

Similarly, the company has also reduced the flow of inappropriate content related to weight loss, eating disorders, self-mutilation, and even suicide. With the changes, this type of content will no longer be suggested in the “for you” tab for minors.

In addition, other content that exposes the body or contains sexual poses of young people will also no longer appear in the recommended tab. It is worth mentioning that other restrictions are already active, such as the prohibition of minors under 16 to send direct messages and minors under 18 from making live broadcasts.

Finally, TikTok will also require that videos modified by artificial intelligence include the indication of “false, unreal, or synthetic” in the caption or even in hashtags. If the rule is not followed, the video’s reach will decrease.

The primary goal of the platform is to avoid deepfakes of politicians. Additionally, the company has sought ways to prevent the spread of fake news and hate speeches during electoral processes, and the new guidelines should also provide details on paid political advertising.

As TikTok faces scrutiny over its content, the platform seeks to ensure its young audience’s safety and wellbeing by implementing policies that promote responsible social media use. With these new restrictions, TikTok aims to protect minors from harmful content and ultimately positively impact their overall mental health.