TikTok announces policy update to tackle community safety

TikTok is launching a new ‘search intervention’ on its platform for people searching for terms associated with human smuggling or trafficking as part of its scaled-up efforts to tackle human exploitation.

In an announcement, TikTok’s Head of Trust and Safety Kevin Morgan explained: ‘When someone searches for certain words or phrases, they will now be directed to expert resources from the STOP THE TRAFFIK Group, with information about the dangers of human smuggling and trafficking. These resources will give our community the option to make a report, find safety tips, and provide details of organisations that can help vulnerable people.

Leading social media companies have been accused of enabling criminal networks to misuse online platforms to promote human smuggling or trafficking and to exploit vulnerable people trying to escape conflict and poverty.