New York Alleges TikTok Provided Ineffective Safety Features to Users
New York has accused TikTok of providing users with ineffective or 'placebo' versions of safety features, including an algorithm reset tool known as Algo Refresh. According to a newly unsealed part of the state's lawsuit from October 2024, some users were blocked from accessing these tools despite believing they had activated them successfully. The claims suggest that TikTok conducted experiments where certain users saw no changes in their content feeds compared to those who received functional features. The allegations also include other tests, such as withholding a safety update for the algorithm from specific users earlier this year. A TikTok spokesperson stated that testing is common practice when developing new platform features. However, an internal product manager reportedly raised concerns about these experiments conflicting with transparency and user control goals. The lawsuit further claims that TikTok misrepresented Algo Refresh to users by implying it was a permanent reset rather than temporary.
Topics: data privacy placebo testing TikTok user safety features