TikTok launches « Footnotes »: A smart move to stay in the U.S.? 📝

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As the Chinese app remains under scrutiny from U.S. authorities, it is now experimenting with a new community moderation tool called “Footnotes.” Inspired by similar features from X, Meta, and YouTube, the tool decentralizes content control while projecting a sense of transparency.

A strategy modeled after its rivals 🔍

In selected English-speaking regions, TikTok now allows a small group of users to flag or provide context to potentially misleading videos. The system, called “Footnotes,” enables users to add clarifications or factual elements directly visible below the relevant content. The goal: to inform viewers better without relying solely on centralized moderation.

This approach is reminiscent of X’s “Community Notes,” heavily promoted by Elon Musk. Meta is following a similar path on Threads, and YouTube is also testing a comparable tool. All these platforms are betting on collective intelligence to respond more quickly to problematic content, while easing the burden of moderation often criticized for being opaque.

A tactical move in a tense political climate ⚖️

For TikTok, the stakes go far beyond content moderation. For years, the app has been under pressure in Washington due to its ties with China. In 2024, a law was passed requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell its U.S. operations to an American company. Otherwise, TikTok risks a total ban in the country.

Although the initial deadline has been pushed back, the threat remains real. Discussions are underway with companies like Oracle for a possible partial acquisition. The main sticking point is TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, which China considers a strategic technology that cannot be handed over.

In this context, the “Footnotes” experiment takes on added meaning. TikTok is attempting to show that it can better manage content, meet transparency expectations, and align with Western standards—while keeping control of its core product.

High hopes, but risks remain ⚠️

Community moderation, while promising, is not without flaws. Even on X, users regularly report abuse: political manipulation, edit wars between opposing groups, etc. Elon Musk himself has acknowledged that the system can be gamed.

On TikTok—where videos can go viral within minutes—managing “Footnotes” will require significant speed and oversight. The company will need to establish a solid verification process to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Still in its testing phase and available to only a few users, this new system could become a central part of TikTok’s strategy to maintain its U.S. presence. More than just a moderation tool, “Footnotes” is a diplomatic message disguised as innovation.

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