(Photo Source: Vox)

TikTok caught suppressing videos of users with disabilities and more

TikTok is getting flak for removing videos of people with disabilities, including Down’s syndrome and autism, as well as physical deformities. Even LGBTQ users and obese users promoting “fat acceptance” have had their videos suppressed. But TikTok said its goal wasn’t censorship, it was merely aiming to protect users from bullying.

A TikTok spokesperson said the policy was meant to be temporary.

“Early on, in response to an increase in bullying on the app, we implemented a blunt and temporary policy,” the China-based company said. “This was never designed to be a long-term solution, but rather a way to help manage a troubling trend. While the intention was good, it became clear that the approach was wrong and we have since removed the policy in favor of more nuanced anti-bullying policies and in-app protections.”

In the wake of the backlash from people with disabilities and other users affected by the policy, TikTok ended it. Alice Wong, the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, said the policy was wrong-headed, no matter how well-intentioned.

“TikTok, the social media sensation du jour, has apparently been hobbling users who have physical disabilities. It did so in a misguided attempt to shield these people from bullying — heavy emphasis on the word ‘misguided,’” Wong tweeted.