How TikTok is being used as breeding ground for hate after viral Bin Laden rant & ‘worst anti-Semitism since the Nazis’
TIKTOK has been blasted as a breeding ground for hate after a rant by Osama Bin Laden went viral and the app was accused of allowing rampant anti-Semitism.
The popular social media site - which has some 1.8billion users worldwide - is facing urgent calls to tackle the alarming spread of vile content, especially in the wake of the war in Gaza.
Experts told The Sun Online the site needs to do more to tackle hateful content - and warned it is being used by "sinister actors" to stoke up division and hate.
They demanded the company ensure its algorithm is not feeding up hateful content to young, impressionable users.
And they warned of potentially dangerous real-world consequences if more action is not taken by TikTok.
Professor Anthony Glees, a security expert from the University of Buckingham, told The Sun Online: "Everybody knows that TikTok appeals especially to young minds.
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"So it's not only what's going on right now, it's planting those seeds in impressionable young [people].
"They grow into something in the years to come."
Dr Alan Mendoza, executive director of policy think tank Henry Jackson Society, told The Sun: "TikTok has a long history of allowing hatred to be promoted on its platform, and does little to censor hate speech of this kind."
The app has always insisted it works proactively in tackling hate speech, and in a statement told The Sun they are committed to "doing our part" to defeat anti-Semitism.
TikTok has been blasted this week after a sick letter written by Osama bin Laden justifying the 9/11 attacks was allowed to go viral.
It was viewed millions of times before being finally stopped and users banned.
And then it was revealed top actor Sacha Baron Cohen led a chorus of Jewish celebrity voices in calling for the company to do more on anti-Semitism.
Baron Cohen fired a fierce shot across the tech company's bow as he met with them - accusing them of "creating the biggest anti-Semitic movement since the Nazis".
He accused the app of platforming similarly influential and provocative content to young people.
And raged that TikTok "is creating the biggest anti-Semitic movement since the Nazis".
Head of TikTok operations Adam Presser and global head of user operations Seth Melnick wanted to hear specifics about the experiences of those on the call in hopes of improving the platform.
Baron Cohen highlighted the circulation of violent images on the platform and said that TikTok has the power to "flip a switch" in tackling anti-Semitism.
But Presser claimed there was no "magic button" to fix the concerns raised in the meeting.
Both chief executives, also Jewish, were described by the New York Times as "conciliatory" in the meeting.
A TikTok spokeswoman told The Sun: "We oppose anti-Semitism in all forms.
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"Anti-Semitism is on the rise globally, and we're committed to doing our part to fight it.
"We've taken important steps to protect our community and prevent the spread of hate, and we appreciate ongoing, honest dialogue and feedback as we continually work to strengthen these protections."