In recent weeks and months users on TikTok have noticed a concerning trend. According to many creators and users on the popular platform, the recommended and trending sections includes an alarmingly low number of black creators. The community spoke out and the platform has seemingly listened.
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The action on TikTok started by users on May 19th, when they started changing their profile pictures to the black power symbol in protest of this censorship of the black creators on the platform. Black creators asked non-black colleagues on the platform to follow at least one black creator at that time. Reportedly, TikTok users would also unfollow other users who did not support this movement.
The issue was exasperated after the recent death of George Floyd when it appeared as if videos that was uploaded and tagged with #BlackLivesMatter and #GeorgeFloyd received zero views. TikTok said that this was due to a “technical glitch”, and has since been rectified.
In a recent announcement, the platform has stated that “we believe the strength in diversity of our community is what makes our platform such an amazing and wonderful place.” It is taking a number of steps with what it is calling a “creator diversity council” that is tasked with “recognizing and uplifting the voices driving culture, creativity, and important conversations on the platform.”
TikTok says it will overhaul its moderation processes, develop a new creator portal for expanding communications and opportunities for the broader creator community and build out a new “user-friendly” appeals process, among other initiatives.
The music community will be participating in “Black Out Tuesday” on the 2nd of June, a planned day of action against racial abuse, currently the most important issue engulfing the United States. This comes after the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer. TikTok announced it will “stand in solidarity with the Black community” by participating in the stand. It has also pledged a $3 million donation to non-profits that help the black community and a separate $1 million donation to address “racial injustice and inequality.”
It remains to be seen whether these steps improve the situation. Users are certainly not going to remain quiet if they don’t, though.
