TikTok and Fake News: Between Viral Algorithms and Selective Censorship

In recent years, TikTok has become one of the most influential social media platforms in the world, with millions of users uploading and consuming videos every day. However, with this exponential growth has emerged a serious and worrying problem: the spread of fake news.

It’s not just the presence of misinformation on the platform that’s causing concern, but also the way TikTok, through its algorithm, seems to be managing (or rather, not managing) this issue.

### The TikTok Algorithm: An Amplifier of Disinformation?

One of the most controversial aspects of the platform is how its algorithm works. TikTok is known for promoting content that has a high potential for virality, regardless of its accuracy or veracity.

This means that videos containing fake news, especially if presented in an engaging or emotionally engaging way, tend to be pushed to a wider audience. Meanwhile, content creators who dedicate themselves to debunking and verifying fake news appear to be penalized, with their profiles relegated to a less visible corner of the platform.

This behavior raises questions about what TikTok’s true goal is: to foster a safe and informed environment, or to maximize user engagement at any cost, even at the expense of the truth?

### An Eye for Traditional Media

Another accusation leveled against TikTok is the preferential treatment reserved for traditional media. The Chinese owners of the platform seem to be very careful not to antagonize the big players in the mainstream information, maintaining collaborative relationships and guaranteeing them visibility. However, the landscape changes drastically when it comes to local and independent media, those that operate on the front lines in the territory. The latter often find themselves facing a wall of indifference or, even worse, algorithms that penalize their online presence.

Indeed, TikTok has repeatedly demonstrated questionable content moderation, labeling sports videos as violent, humorous content as bullying, and vice versa. Meanwhile, videos that actually contain sensitive or violent material remain visible for extended periods of time, despite user reports. This selective approach to moderation only fuels distrust of the platform.

### The Implications in Italy: Existing Laws, Missing Enforcement

In Italy, the issue is particularly sensitive. There are laws designed to combat disinformation and protect citizens from inappropriate or misleading content. However, these laws often remain unenforced, leaving platforms like TikTok free to operate outside of effective oversight.

This unequal treatment and lack of transparency in content management raises broader concerns about the trust users can place in TikTok. In China, citizens may be accustomed to a certain degree of control and censorship, but in Italy, where freedom of expression and the protection of rights are fundamental pillars, such an approach is bound to meet resistance.

TikTok is at a crossroads. While on the one hand the platform continues to grow and influence the lives of millions of users, on the other it must deal with the responsibilities that come with its position of power. The management of fake news and the moderation of content must be addressed with greater seriousness and transparency. Above all by creating direct contact channels with which to dialogue and try to improve the relationship with users, on a par with other social networks such as Meta and Google, which at this time are clearly more reliable than the Chinese social network, despite the many problems that also afflict them.
Only in this way can TikTok hope to maintain the trust of users and professionals, where awareness and protection of rights are issues of primary importance.

Topics