TikTok has released a new transparency report focused on providing specific information regarding detected influenceoperations that have been removed from its app. In addition to that, thereport explains the company’s updated state-affiliated media policy.

This report is different from previous transparency reportsthat TikTok has put out from time to time in compliance with industryrequirements. The current report includes details of 15 influence operationsthat TikTok claims to have disrupted. You can see case-by-case breakdowns of alldetected groups along with the magnitude of their “covert operations” between April1 - April 30, 2024.

The details consist of the number of profiles in and totalfollowers of each group, and a brief description of each group’s intent as identifiedby TikTok. Elaborating on the collective intent of the detected groups, TikToksays that “a majority of these networks were attempting to influence politicaldiscourse among their target audience, including in relation to elections.”

What is important to note here is that TikTok has even includedan explicit disclosure on influence operations originating from its ownhomeland, China. This may be seen as evidence that the company could be operatingindependently from the CCP, as opposed to what it is consistently accused for. Butthen again, it may be deemed as a form of deception too.

As for TikTok’s updated state-affiliated media policy, thecompany will be restricting the reach of the detected state-affiliated accountswhen they attempt to expand their reach beyond their home nations. TikTok willlabel these accounts as “detected state-affiliated profiles” and make themineligible for recommendation, meaning that their content won’t appear in theFor You feed. “In addition, if these accounts advertise on our platform, theywill not be allowed to advertise outside of the country with which they areprimarily affiliated,” the social media company asserts.