TikTok will work with the National Election Commission to counter misinformation ahead of the June 3 nationwide local elections. The company said it will block ads and revenue generation on accounts of politicians and political parties and strengthen oversight of content created with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the platform's fairness and credibility during the election period.
On the 20th, TikTok held an online briefing to unveil its platform operating principles and response plan for the local elections. The briefing was attended by Jed Horner, head of high-risk policy for Oceania and Northeast Asia; Kim Hee-su, trust and safety policy manager for Oceania and Northeast Asia; and Park Sang-hyun, head of communications at TikTok Korea.
TikTok said it will operate a cooperation channel with the election commission during the campaign period and review content reported by the commission as potentially violating election law. Depending on the review, actions may include content removal, reduced distribution, or account sanctions.
However, a post will not be deleted automatically just because it was reported by the commission. TikTok will make a final decision on removal after a comprehensive review based on its own policy standards and legal grounds. To reflect political and social context, the company said it works with the global fact-checking organization "Lead Stories" and also uses reviews by experts with an understanding of Korean language and domestic conditions.
TikTok also emphasized that it does not allow misinformation related to elections, including the voting date, polling place locations, voter eligibility, and voting procedures. Posts that claim a different voting date for a particular region than the actual date or deny the voting rights of a specific group are considered policy violations. Content related to violent or hate groups, hate speech targeting specific groups, and incitement of election-related violence are also prohibited.
Separate rules have been established for accounts related to politicians, political parties, and the government. In Korea, political use of TikTok has been growing, with President Lee Jae-myung opening an official TikTok account in February. TikTok bans political ads on these accounts and does not allow election-related fundraising. They are also barred from participating in the creator monetization program and incentive schemes.
Management of AI-generated content will also be strengthened. Content that falsely fabricates a real person's remarks or actions in a way that could influence users' judgment may be removed. When posting AI-generated content, creators must label it as AI-generated. TikTok can also automatically detect AI-generated material using watermarking technology and attach labels itself. However, even with AI labeling, content that is misinformation or violates domestic law may face removal or restrictions.
TikTok will operate an election-related page linked to official information from the National Election Commission so users can easily find election information. When users search election-related keywords, they will be directed to official information provided by the commission, such as candidate information, polling place locations, and early voting schedules. Election information is also available through the recently opened official TikTok account of the National Election Commission.