TikTok’s US Safety Head, Eric Tan, has announced his departure from the company as the video-sharing app faces growing pressure over its safety practices. Tan’s resignation comes amid concerns that TikTok is not doing enough to protect children and teenagers from inappropriate content and potential predators.
Tan, who had been with the company for less than a year, played a critical role in developing TikTok’s safety policies and ensuring that the platform was compliant with US laws and regulations. His departure, however, has raised questions about the company’s commitment to safety, particularly in the US where lawmakers have expressed concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership and data practices.
TikTok has faced numerous controversies in recent years, including allegations of censorship, data privacy violations, and the spread of harmful content. The company has also come under scrutiny for its handling of user data, with the US government raising concerns about the potential for China to access US users’ information.
Tan’s departure comes just weeks after a report by the Wall Street Journal revealed that TikTok had failed to remove sexually explicit comments and requests from its platform, despite being notified of the content. The report also alleged that TikTok’s moderation guidelines allowed certain types of content, such as suggestive dancing and sexualized language, to remain on the platform.
In a statement, TikTok said that it was grateful for Tan’s contributions to the company and that it remained committed to ensuring the safety of its users. The company added that it had implemented new safety measures, including banning accounts that repeatedly violate its policies and strengthening its moderation and reporting systems.
However, critics say that these measures do not go far enough and that TikTok needs to do more to protect children and teenagers from harmful content and potential predators. They argue that the company should adopt more robust safety practices, such as age verification and stricter content moderation policies.
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has also faced criticism for its data practices, with the US government launching an investigation into the company’s handling of user data. In response, TikTok has taken steps to distance itself from its Chinese ownership, such as appointing a US-based CEO and moving its data storage to the US.
Despite these efforts, the company continues to face scrutiny and pressure from lawmakers and regulators, particularly in the US where there are growing concerns about Chinese tech companies and their potential influence on American users.
As TikTok continues to grapple with these challenges, it remains to be seen how the company will address the growing concerns over its safety practices and whether it will be able to regain the trust of its users and regulators.
