But at least TikTok seems to be trying to offer some kind of “protection” to its users by tagging Autopilot videos with the following statement: Check it out in the tweet bellow.
— Keubiko (@Keubiko) May 26, 2021 This seems to be a small improvement compared to the prior complete lack of such tags, but it nevertheless contradicts TikTok’s safety statements. Credit: TikTok As is clearly stated, TikTok doesn’t permit content that can encourage users to participate in dangerous and potentially harmful or fatal activities. But at the same time it does, doesn’t it? Much content that contravenes these guidelines has been allowed to remain on the platform. Take a look at this video:
Or this one:
Disclaimers such as “don’t try this at home” or “this may result in injury” are simply not enough to eliminate danger. Impressionable users who can see that a Tesla can operate in a “driverless” mode most likely won’t be discouraged by the small print. If TikTok really wants to protect its community, it needs to filter with stricter criteria the content that gets uploaded. Otherwise, it doesn’t really do much better than Tesla itself that advertises its products as full self-driving features, while warning that they don’t qualify as autonomous driving. Do EVs excite your electrons? Do ebikes get your wheels spinning? Do self-driving cars get you all charged up? Then you need the weekly SHIFT newsletter in your life. Click here to sign up.