Political disinformation spreads across TikTok in different ways compared to other apps.

Here’s an example of a false claim about Joe Biden currently on the platform - and how TikTok’s unique app infrastructure assists in the spread of false claims like these

Online users are sharing a video clip from a Zoom where Biden seems to say the US is “doomed” bc the country will be “minority white European” by 2040.

The posts deliberately remove the context & previous portions of his quote.

Helpful Reuters piece: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-biden-comment-doomed-us-idUSKBN29R2BO

The out-of-context audio is being shared across TikTok in this ‘Sound’: https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6909156653589875461

Users feature the sound, react to what Biden said - typically by claiming this proves he is racist.

It's popular! At least 684 vids since Dec & 1.3million views, by my (manual) count

TikTok Sounds are a way users form communities around specific pieces of content or trends. There’s nothing really like it on other apps.

But, removed of any visual context or additional info, a claim like this Biden one gains legitimacy when shared by users.

TikTok has its own unique challenges due to the way the platform is set up. It takes a long time to catalogue/track trends & vids.

TikTok are good at taking action, but disinfo is a reality on the app so we need better ways to tackle this! (TikTok OSINT folks, give me a shout)