TikTok is adding new rules for accounts belonging to politicians, government officials and political parties ahead of the midterm elections. The company says it will require those accounts to go through a “mandatory” verification process and restrict them from accessing ads and other revenue-generating features.
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Until now, verification for politicians and other public figures has been entirely optional. But that’s changing now, at least in the United States , as TikTok prepares for the midterm elections this fall. In a post, the company says the update is intended to help it enforce its rules , which prohibit political advertising of any kind, more consistently.
By verifying their accounts, TikTok will be able to block politicians and political parties from accessing the platform’s advertising tools or other revenue-generating features, such as tipping. The accounts will also be blocked from payments from the company’s creator fund and in-app purchase features.
TikTok says it also plans to add further restrictions that will prevent politicians and political parties from using the platform to solicit campaign contributions or other donations, even on external websites . The policy, which will go into effect “in the coming weeks,” will ban videos that direct viewers to third-party fundraising sites. It also means politicians will not be allowed to post videos that solicit donations .
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The new policies are the latest part of TikTok’s strategy to prepare for the midterm elections. The company has already begun building an in-app Elections Center to highlight voting resources and details about local races.
Information source: engadget.com
