TikTok's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

TikTok is dedicated to creating an inclusive platform that represents the diversity of our world. They have actively engaged with the community, especially Black creators, to address their concerns and experiences. They held a Town Hall meeting and roundtable discussions with Black creators and student ambassadors from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). These conversations have highlighted the need for TikTok to take proactive steps against harassment, better understand cultural sensitivities, and broaden their team's perspectives.

Internally, TikTok has been facilitating ongoing conversations with their Black employees to ensure that their on-platform and community initiatives align with their goals of inclusivity. They recognize their responsibility to their users and are determined to foster a strong and inclusive platform where everyone feels safe and heard.

To further their commitment, TikTok has introduced the Creator Diversity Collective. This group of creators from diverse backgrounds will help ensure diversity, inclusion, and representation in their programs and on their platform. These creators, chosen for their knowledge of TikTok and dedication to advocating for inclusivity, will regularly meet with TikTok employees to share the perspectives of the creator community.

TikTok is also pleased to welcome Mutale Nkonde to their Content Advisory Council. Mutale's expertise in understanding racial bias in algorithms will be invaluable as they enhance their policies to address hateful behavior. Her addition to the council will help TikTok create a safe and welcoming environment for all users.

In addition to these initiatives, TikTok is continuously updating and enhancing their platform and systems to better protect users from harassment and ensure fairness. They have a zero-tolerance policy for racism, hate, harassment, and discrimination on TikTok. Their enforcement teams swiftly remove violating content and ban accounts associated with hate or violent extremist groups. They are also making product changes to provide clarity around content removals and improve notifications and appeals.

TikTok understands the importance of recommendation systems in shaping users' experiences and is committed to developing ethical machine learning processes that reflect inclusivity and diversity. They acknowledge that there is work to be done in this area and will continue to invest in research and improvement.

To honor and elevate Black voices, TikTok has created a dedicated page for users to learn about Juneteenth and Black history. They also highlight videos and accounts of Black creators who raise awareness of important issues in their communities. TikTok recognizes the role they play in the lives of their users and is committed to amplifying Black voices as an ongoing part of their platform.

Furthermore, TikTok is supporting organizations that fight for racial equality and justice. They have made financial contributions to nonprofits that empower underserved communities, increase access to healthcare and education, and promote cultural awareness. They are also donating to Black museums across the country to preserve stories of courage and inspire open dialogue about race.

These actions are just the beginning, and TikTok acknowledges that there is more work to be done. They are fully committed to supporting and promoting diverse voices and perspectives. They will continue to update their progress and welcome feedback from their community.