Amid increasing skepticism from various regulators and lingering questions concerning its ownership and content approach, TikTok is out to provide more assurance that it’s not censoring certain content, or amplifying certain perspectives, via its new API access points. These new access points enable academics and researchers to glean more insight into how exactly its systems work.
Here’s The Context
Under a new program, TikTok will soon let researchers access its public and anonymized data about content and activity on the platform. It will also facilitate insights into its content moderation systems via API access points, with stringent restrictions on who can access the tools.
This could help shine more light on why TikTok’s ‘For You’ Feed is so addictive, enabling researchers to see what makes it tick, as well as what its moderation team looks to remove. However, it won’t provide insights into TikTok’s AI systems and the details that it can extract from each uploaded clip. This means that the mechanics that operate behind this process are also off-limits. It makes sense, considering how this is essentially TikTok’s ‘Secret Sauce’ and most controversial element.
As suggested by leaked internal documents found back in 2020, TikTok’s AI can detect physical elements and use them as matching parameters to have users keep scrolling. It’s suspected that this type of object ID, built into TikTok’s system, could be uncovered via more intense criticism, explaining why its algorithms are never included in this new API access.
Then again, it could also be a question of proprietary information and keeping the secrets of its success close. Perhaps it might not even be that concerning, seeing as how its AI system is potentially built in the same way as that of Instagram or Facebook, neither of which really sound controversial. However, what’s interesting is how recent reports suggest that TikTok has been advising staff not to talk about certain sensitive elements, including its AI tools. TikTok has also been removing more content due to ‘nudity and sexual activity’, which does paint a picture of concern in some aspects. Only a broader exposure to its algorithmic systems will reveal the answer.
It’ll be interesting to see what comes up as a result of these new investigations, as well as what they can reveal about what gives TikTok its spice, in regards to user trends and various other ‘observable’ elements.
The Wrap
TikTok says that it’s granting the same API access to its independent US Content Advisory Council for more in-depth analysis. This might prove to be a wise decision and help TikTok solidify support and understanding, reducing the current pressures on the app. At the same time, such a move would provide additional context as to how and what drives its success.
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