Senators press TikTok on 'sinister' experiment that held back an algorithm safety feature
ThinkingNews Desk · how this was written
Two senators are demanding answers from TikTok regarding an experiment that disabled safety features for a portion of its users. The lawmakers have set a deadline for the company to explain the testing process and the impact of withholding these safeguards.
Written from all 4 reports below, not from any single one.
How it was reported
- The Next Web·Two senators give TikTok until 1 September to explain its safety test
U.S. senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal have sent a four-page letter to TikTok CEO Shou Chew demanding answers about a 2022 experiment that disabled a safety filter for roughly 15 million American users, including minors, to assess profit impact. The letter requests employee names, internal documents, and a full list of U.S. algorithmic tests that altered safety features, with a response deadline of 1 September.
- TechCrunch·Senators demand answers from TikTok over experiment that disabled safeguards
Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal have given TikTok until September 1 to answer 13 questions about an experiment that disabled a safety algorithm for 15 million U.S. users, including 16-year-old Chase Nasca, whose feed flooded with suicide-related content before his death. The inquiry seeks the identities of all employees aware of the test, why minors were included, and a full list of any U.S. algorithmic experiments that disabled or delayed safety features.
- TechMeme·Two US senators demand answers from TikTok about a "depraved" test that withheld a safety feature from 10% of US users, including a teenager who died by suicide (Olivia Carville/Bloomberg)
U.S. Senators have subpoenaed TikTok for details on a “depraved” experiment that disabled a suicide-prevention safety feature for roughly 10% of American users, a group that included a teenager who later died by suicide. The lawmakers allege the test violated the platform’s duty to protect users and are seeking documentation of the test’s design, scope, and any internal communications about its risks.
- Engadget·Senators press TikTok on 'sinister' experiment that held back an algorithm safety feature
Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal wrote to TikTok executives demanding answers about a 2021 experiment that withheld an algorithmic safety feature from millions of users to use a control group for engagement testing. Bloomberg reported that teen Chase Nasca, who died by suicide after his feed repeatedly showed suicide-related content, was part of that control group. TikTok has until September 1 to disclose whether it ever rejected safety interventions for revenue or engagement reasons.
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