Meta and TikTok knowingly amplified harmful content to boost engagement, whistleblowers say
Meta and TikTok let harmful content rise after evidence outrage drove engagement, say whistleblowers
Summary
Whistleblowers have told the BBC that Meta and TikTok deliberately allowed harmful content to spread on their platforms after internal evidence showed that outrage-driven material boosted user engagement. The companies' algorithms were reportedly tuned to prioritise content that provoked strong emotional reactions, even when that content was known to be damaging. The revelations have intensified calls for greater regulatory oversight of social media platforms.
Preview
Companies allowed more harmful content on user’s feeds, knowing their algorithms ran on outrage, BBC hears.