In a significant development, TikTok’s US head of trust and safety has resigned from his position, amid mounting concerns over the safety of the social media platform. Eric Tan’s departure comes at a time when TikTok has been facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, regulators, and the public over the app’s handling of user data, content moderation, and user safety.
Tan had been with TikTok for nearly three years and was responsible for managing the company’s content moderation policies and practices. His resignation was announced internally on May 5, and his last day at the company is said to be May 14. It is not clear what prompted Tan’s departure or what his next move will be.
TikTok has been under pressure to improve its safety measures, particularly when it comes to protecting children on the platform. In 2019, the platform paid a $5.7 million fine to the US Federal Trade Commission for illegally collecting data from children under the age of 13. The company has since implemented several measures to enhance child safety, including increased parental controls and restrictions on direct messaging.
However, concerns remain over the spread of harmful content on the platform, including hate speech, misinformation, and dangerous challenges. Earlier this year, a viral TikTok challenge, the “skull breaker challenge,” resulted in several injuries and prompted warnings from safety experts.
TikTok has taken steps to address these issues, including implementing new content moderation policies and partnering with third-party fact-checkers to combat misinformation. The platform has also pledged to increase transparency and accountability by publishing regular reports on its content moderation practices and enforcement actions.
However, the platform’s efforts have not been enough to assuage concerns from lawmakers and regulators. In March, the US Senate held a hearing on the safety of social media platforms, including TikTok, with lawmakers calling for stronger measures to protect children online.
The departure of TikTok’s US trust and safety head raises questions about the company’s ability to address these concerns and maintain public trust in its platform. It remains to be seen who will replace Tan and what changes they will make to address the safety issues facing the platform.
In the wake of Tan’s resignation, TikTok released a statement saying, “We are grateful for Eric’s leadership in building out our Trust and Safety team and wish him all the best for the future. Our team is focused on continuing to strengthen TikTok’s safety policies and technologies to provide a safe and positive experience for our community.”
As TikTok continues to face scrutiny over its safety measures, the platform’s leadership will need to demonstrate a commitment to addressing these concerns and regaining the trust of users and regulators. With the departure of the head of trust and safety, the company will need to act quickly to reassure the public that it takes these issues seriously and is taking meaningful steps to address them.
