The study carried out by NewsGuard analyzed 540 videos published on the platform and found false information in 105 of them.
The use of TikTok as a search tool for young people has grown more and more, whether to look for a recipe, a movie suggestion, music and even information on subjects such as the War in Ukraine, Covid-19 and elections. However, a survey conducted by NewsGuard found that 20% of the videos displayed by the application’s search engine contain misinformation.
According to NewsGuard, the study analyzed 540 videos posted on the platform and, of these, 105 contained false and misleading claims.
This means that for research on topics ranging from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to school shootings and Covid vaccines, TikTok users are constantly fed false and misleading claims, NewsGuard pointed out.
The study noted that while US-based analysts searched with neutral and more conspiratorial search terms, TikTok itself constantly suggested contrary terms, for example: when searching for climate change, the platform suggests the climate change search does not exist.
In addition to incorrect information for subjects such as wars and elections, the survey found that the app also displays misinformation when it comes to health. NewsGuard found TikTok videos promoting fake Covid-19 cures and homemade concoctions aimed at inducing abortion.
To the Mashable website, TikTok has expressed itself stating that the platform guidelines do not allow misinformation and that they will remove it from the app. We partner with credible voices to elevate official content on public health related topics, and we partner with independent fact-checkers who help us assess the accuracy of the content,” the TikTok spokesperson said.
