In a recent report by the Mozilla Foundation and AI Forensics, it was discovered that TikTok‘s Lite version, designed for users in low-income markets, lacks crucial trust and safety measures found in the full version of the app. This includes the absence of labels for AI-generated content, as well as other safeguards that help users differentiate between fake and real content.
Labeling is a critical tactic used by social media platforms to ensure trust and safety among users. The full version of TikTok provides labels for graphic or dangerous content, as well as prompts for accessing credible information on topics like elections and health. However, these features are missing in TikTok Lite, leaving users with less information about the authenticity of the content they consume.
Mozilla fellow Odanga Madung questions why TikTok chose to exclude safety features in its Lite version, especially considering the prevalence of deceptive AI-generated content in elections worldwide. He raises concerns about whether this omission was a deliberate choice or simply negligence on the part of the company. The lack of transparency in TikTok Lite leaves users vulnerable to misinformation and potential harm.
In response to the report, a TikTok spokesperson denied the allegations of inaccuracies and defended the safety measures in TikTok Lite. However, the company did not provide specific examples to refute the findings of the report. This lack of clarity further raises suspicions about the platform’s commitment to ensuring user safety, particularly in markets where data costs are high and users have less access to information.
Lite versions of apps have been a common strategy for expanding market share in regions with limited connectivity and low-income users. Companies like Meta (formerly Facebook) have launched Lite versions of their apps to cater to users with slower networks and less advanced devices. While these initiatives aim to increase accessibility, they have also faced criticism for creating a separate, inferior experience for users in developing countries.
TikTok Lite was introduced in 2018 in Thailand and has since gained popularity in Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. With over 1 billion downloads on the Google Play Store, TikTok Lite has become a widely used platform among low-income users in the Global South. However, the lack of safety features and transparency in this version raises concerns about the potential risks faced by these vulnerable populations.
The absence of trust and safety measures in TikTok’s Lite version highlights the inequality in user protection between different markets. As social media platforms continue to expand their reach to low-income regions, it is crucial for companies to prioritize user safety and transparency. The findings of the report by the Mozilla Foundation and AI Forensics call for greater scrutiny of how tech companies address the unique needs and challenges of users in developing countries.