TikTok announced back in May that it would automatically label AI-generated content on its platform. That’s not true, though, for all versions of the app.
A recent report by the Mozilla Foundation and AI Forensics has revealed that TikTok’s Lite-Save Data version, designed for users in poorer markets, lacks critical safety features and fails to label AI-generated content. This is in contrast to the full version of the app, which displays labels indicating graphic or dangerous content and provides resources for credible information.
Odanga Madung, a Mozilla fellow and coauthor of the report, emphasizes the importance of labeling in promoting trust and safety on the platform. “It’s surprising that TikTok chose to remove these guardrails, which are essential for users’ well-being,” he says.
The Lite version of TikTok, available for Android phones only, omits features that are present in the full version, including labels warning of graphic or dangerous content, as well as notices encouraging users to access credible information on topics like elections and health. This lack of transparency can make it difficult for users to distinguish between real and fake information, particularly in the context of elections, where disinformation can have serious consequences.
When asked about the report’s findings, a TikTok spokesperson disputed the claims, stating that the company removes content that breaks its rules from both the Lite and full versions of the app. However, the company failed to specify any factual inaccuracies in the report.
Lite versions of apps have long been used by companies to increase market share in areas with limited data access or affordability. However, the report highlights concerns about the unequal treatment of users in poorer markets, who may be more vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation.
Payal Arora, a professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University, notes that Lite versions of apps are critical for getting low-income and resource-constrained users online, particularly in a market where data is a valuable commodity. “TikTok’s decision to prioritize a Lite version over safety features is a concerning trend,” she says.
