TikTok: 24 million fake accounts deleted since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict

Video platform TikTok says it has removed 24 million fake accounts worldwide since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. It is also said to have removed 925,000 videos ‘originating from the conflict zone’.

TikTok writes that it has seen an increase in cases of ‘fake interaction’ in recent weeks. In addition to 24 million fake accounts, millions of bot comments have also been removed from videos. More than 4 million videos have also been removed from the platform since October 7, TikTok shows in a graph. 925,000 of those videos are said to come from Israel and Gaza. The videos were removed by TikTok on the following grounds: dangerous misinformation, violent behavior and criminal activity, violent individuals and organizations, hate speech, intimidation and bullying, and disturbing images.

Source: TikTok

Furthermore, TikTok denies that the platform’s algorithm in the United States would recommend more pro-Palestinian content than pro-Israeli videos. In response to these claims, several members of the US Congress want to see whether TikTok can be banned, writes NBC News. TikTok says the hashtag #standwithisrael has been viewed 46 million times in the US as of October 7, while #standwithpalestine has been viewed 29 million times.

The social media platform wants to continue to demonstrate that it is taking sufficient steps against fake news and shocking images. European Commissioner Thierry Breton sent a call to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in October. Breton says he has “indications that TikTok is being used to spread illegal content and disinformation” after the attacks by Hamas against Israel. In addition, the European Commissioner believes that TikTok has an obligation to protect children and teenagers against ‘harmful content’.