TikTok has been pushing newsy notifications with outdated or false data, prompting concern that the favored app is contributing to the misinformation downside on social media.As The Monetary Occasions reviews, TikTok customers have reported notifications that warned a few tsunami in Japan in addition to an alert about Taylor Swift cancelling tour dates in Florida. However the tsunami alert got here in three weeks after an earthquake within the area, that means there was no imminent risk. And Swift has not cancelled her Miami exhibits. One other alert, about an alleged ban on Shohei Ohtani from the MLB, was an April Idiot’s joke.The notifications are despatched by TikTok, presumably to extend engagement. It is unclear how they’re chosen. An skilled who spoke to the FT mentioned it is probably executed by way of algorithm given what number of are pushed out, primarily based on customers’ preferences.Those that click on on the alerts are taken to TikTok movies, the place one may suss out whether or not the clip was actual or not. However the notifications are styled to appear to be conventional information alerts, so somebody who did not examine additional would possibly suppose the headline was legit. TikTok eliminated the alerts that have been flagged by the FT, the paper says.This comes at a time when social media websites are underneath scrutiny for his or her position in spreading misinformation. US investigators lately found a Russian state-owned media outlet utilizing X to unfold lies and propaganda. And a Microsoft report says Iranian teams are creating web sites that focus on People with subjects meant “to stoke chaos, undermine belief in authorities, and sow doubt about election integrity.”
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But it surely’s taking place right here, too. Elon Musk’s Grok AI has served up false details about elections, whereas Donald Trump has falsely accused Kamala Harris of faking crowd sizes with AI.TikTok is at present on the chopping block right here within the US. Laws signed by President Biden offers it till January to divest from Chinese language possession or face a ban. TikTok is combating that effort.
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