TikTok CEO Takes Action Against Anti-Israel and Antisemitic Content Amid Rising Concerns

 As concerns surrounding the spread of anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric on TikTok continue to grow, the company's chief executive, Shou Chew, has personally taken steps to address the issue. According to the New York Times, Chew has been actively engaging with prominent Jewish leaders and organizations to understand their concerns and provide insights into TikTok's approach to moderating hate speech and misinformation. Chew, who resides in Singapore, has held meetings in New York and participated in video calls with organizations such as the American Jewish Committee, UJA-Federation of New York, and the Anti-Defamation League, all arranged by TikTok.

Attendees reported that Chew expressed his commitment to listening and provided valuable information regarding the company's efforts to tackle these issues. TikTok, like many other social media platforms, has faced criticism for its handling of content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The platform has been accused of disseminating misinformation, graphic content, and hate speech. However, due to its ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company, and its increasing influence as a news source for younger Americans, TikTok has attracted additional scrutiny.

Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, emphasized the significance of TikTok's impact on news consumption, particularly among individuals aged 18 to 29. He stated, "TikTok is not alone the problem within social media, but TikTok is probably the single most influential source for news for people 18 to 29." In response to these concerns, TikTok has taken proactive measures.

The company has recruited additional moderators proficient in Arabic and Hebrew and collaborated with Jewish and Muslim organizations to improve the identification of instances involving antisemitism and Islamophobia. TikTok also reported removing millions of videos that violated content rules during the period from October 7 to November 17, including those categorized as shocking and graphic, harassment, bullying, hate speech, and hateful behavior.

"This is an extremely difficult time for millions of people around the world and in our TikTok community," said Jamie Favazza, a spokeswoman for TikTok. "We feel it’s important to meet with and listen to creators, human rights experts, civil society and other stakeholders to help guide our ongoing work to keep our global community safe." With these steps, TikTok aims to address the concerns raised and ensure a safer and more inclusive environment for its users.