Booming video app TikTok set to be subject to regulation

TikTok, the social media app that is booming in popularity and is currently ranked number one in the photo and video category of the App Store seems to be finding itself the subject of unwanted attention. The Chinese app is reported to be only the second non-US app to be subject to a regulatory crackdown in India, the world’s second largest smartphone market and the fastest growing.

The Indian government is reported to be in the midst of drafting new legislation which would require the video app to regulate the content uploaded by its global user base.

Previously, it has only required this of a number of US apps such as the messaging app WhatsApp which it feared to be spreading fake news. The move to impose the same requirement on the Chinese TikTok app follows a similar pattern, with officials said to be concerned that the micro vlogging platform could be used to spread misinformation or fake news.

TikTok has been steadily growing its user base with new installs growing every month since December 2017according to data from Sensor Tower. It recorded 20 million new installs per month worldwide in December 2017, 60 million by June of the following year and 75 million in December 2018.

On the App Store, the app describes itself as, “TikTok is not your ordinary destination for short-form mobile video. It's raw, real, and without boundaries—whether you're brushing your teeth at 7:45 a.m. or you're making breakfast at 7:45 p.m. It's from the gut, 'come as you are' storytelling told in 15 seconds. With TikTok life's more fun when you live in the moment and go beyond to explore.”

India says that due to the immense growth (around 40% of users are estimated to be based in Asia) and the use of similar apps to spread fake news, the legislation is necessary. Once active, the new requirements will see TikTok forced to create and deploy automated tools designed to detect and remove content which is unlawful – ie fake news or misinformation. If enacted, it’s also reported that the legislation requires the parent company of TikTok, China’s ByteDance to have an open office in India with a named senior executive to be responsible for any subsequent legal issues.

A senior minister from the Indian government told the FT that its moves were prompted by a worry that there exists a vacuum in anyone taking responsibility for the content, a risky criminal element and a need for moderation.

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