Home / Crime and Justice / Thousands Duped by TikTok's 'Ghost' Safety Test
Thousands Duped by TikTok's 'Ghost' Safety Test
8 Oct
Summary
- TikTok allegedly used non-functional safety tools on thousands of users.
- Users believed safety features were active but their feeds remained unchanged.
- Lawsuit claims TikTok misled users while prioritizing platform addiction.
New York's lawsuit against TikTok includes allegations of 'ghost' experiments where the platform provided thousands of users, including children, with non-functional safety features. Users believed tools like 'Algo Refresh' were active, but their content feeds remained unchanged, according to the unsealed court documents.
These allegations are part of a broader state lawsuit accusing TikTok of addicting children and misleading users about platform safety. TikTok has denied these claims, stating user safety is a priority and that it continuously tests new features. The company previously settled a state lawsuit in Alabama for up to $300 million.
An internal employee reportedly flagged the placebo tests as problematic and conflicting with algorithm transparency goals. The lawsuit claims these tests, conducted repeatedly in 2023, aimed to study user retention and ad revenue impact. TikTok allegedly misled users about 'Algo Refresh' functionality, presenting it as a reset when it was temporary.
Separate experiments, previously reported, involved disabling safety features. One teen in New York, shown self-harm content, died by suicide after these features were turned off, the lawsuit states. Internal reviews indicated the teen saw an 'onslaught' of such content.
