Advertisement

Updated May 4th, 2020 at 13:50 IST

TikTok launches much-needed new campaign to curb spread of misinformation amid COVID

TikTok on Monday said it is launching a new campaign, urging users to be extremely careful with the content and ensure that they do not spread misinformation.

TikTok
| Image:self
Advertisement

Short video platform TikTok on Monday said it is launching a new campaign, urging users to be extremely careful with the content they create and share online to ensure that they do not spread misinformation amid COVID-19 pandemic. TikTok - which has about 200 million users in India - said the campaign has been directed by Anurag Basu and features popular personalities, including Virat Kohli, Sara Ali Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana and Kriti Sanon.

"Fake news is harmful, makes us ill-informed, erodes trust and impacts communities. TikTok has launched its Public Service Announcement (PSA) titled #MatKarForward to help raise awareness among the digital community around creation and sharing of misinformation," the video platform said in a statement.

The campaign will be live on DD and other television channels and social media handles starting Monday, it added. The government had asked social media companies to place more checks in order to curb the spread of misleading content that could cause harm to the society in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. It had also asked these platforms to remove rogue messages spreading misinformation and weakening the government's efforts to fight against the coronavirus.

TikTok's goal is to develop policies and community tools that make it a safer platform for users, the statement said. Most recently, the platform had introduced a 'Misleading Information' category, along with a COVID-19 sub-category, within the in-app reporting feature to curb the misinformation amid COVID-19 pandemic.

"Spread of misinformation is an industry-wide concern and a shared responsibility. As a leading short-format video platform where users enjoy the freedom of creative expression, we continue to take proactive steps to prioritize the safety and well-being of our communities," TikTok India Head Nikhil Gandhi said.

The campaign was shot by the cast and edited by the director at their respective homes, following the government's social distancing guidelines and COVID-19 norms, the statement said. PTI SR

Advertisement

Published May 4th, 2020 at 13:50 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Jailed Gangster Mukhtar Ansari Passes Away
14 minutes ago
Mukhtar Ansari Death
24 minutes ago
Chamkila
27 minutes ago
Lorry Crushes Car-Cleaner To Death In Telangana
32 minutes ago
Major League Cricket
33 minutes ago
Abhay Deol
34 minutes ago
delhi cm arvind kejriwal
35 minutes ago
MEA Responds To China’s Comment On Sikh Separatist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun
38 minutes ago
Riyan Parag
40 minutes ago
David Warner
41 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo