TikTok has been under fire for sending inaccurate and misleading news-style alerts to users, raising concerns about the platform’s role in spreading misinformation. Among the false alerts were claims of a tsunami in Japan weeks after the event, and a fabricated story about Taylor Swift canceling tour dates due to Florida’s “racism.” Another notification falsely stated that MLB player Shohei Ohtani was banned, which originated from an April Fool’s prank.
These notifications, which mimic the format of legitimate news alerts, appear to be automatically generated based on high-engagement posts. Researchers warn that this format may cause users to trust the content more than they should, increasing their vulnerability to misinformation.
With over a billion global users, TikTok has pledged to enhance its efforts to combat misinformation, particularly as major national elections approach. The platform’s reliance on algorithms to push content notifications has drawn scrutiny, with experts calling for more responsible curation from verified sources.
TikTok has since removed the flagged notifications but has not disclosed how it determines which content to promote through alerts. The incident highlights the challenges social media platforms face in balancing engagement with the need to prevent the spread of false information.
