Extremists have used hashtags, captions and in some cases even manipulated video to spread their message, the ADL said. It found “dozens” of accounts on TikTok that “use combinations of white supremacist symbols, terms and slogans such as screen names and handles.”
It is not clear how many TikTok users may have seen this content; the ADL said its report is not intended as an exhaustive assessment.
TikTok confirmed the ADL partnership on Thursday, saying that much of the content marked by the ADL has already been removed. The company said it had deleted hundreds of thousands of videos and more than 1,000 accounts this year for violating its hate speech policies.
“For all the progress we have made in improving our policies and protections, hatred arises and takes many forms. That is why we are grateful to work with organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League to combat it. , “the company said in a statement. “We appreciate it if content and accounts are brought to our attention so that we can quickly remove what is in violation of our Community Guidelines and strengthen our safeguards. We welcome expert feedback and guidance as we strive for a safe and uplifting experience for our community. ”
Groups promoting white supremacy on TikTok have tried to pass the #blacklivesmatter hashtag, the ADL said. They also used hashtags including #alllivesmatter and #whitelivesmatter.
White supremacists on the platform ADL also uses other methods to hide its behavior and evade discovery, the ADL said, such as by using coded language or sharing images from books, characters or web URLs for viewers to explore for themselves.
They have even used falsely edited videos that misrepresent the words of others, the ADL said. In one case, according to the ADL, a TikTok user added a voiceover to a video of the popular and controversial Swedish YouTuber PewDiePie to make it appear as if he was supporting Adolf Hitler’s views.
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