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  • Meerelle Cruz

TikTok Introduces a New Mute Option for Live Stream Comments and Reveals the Most Recent Video Remov

TikTok is providing a new control option for live broadcasters that will allow them to silence comments from particular viewers within streams for varying periods as part of its bigger monetization drive as it attempts to develop the use of its live-streaming option into eCommerce. Live-stream hosts will now be able to silence certain viewers for a portion of the broadcast - or the entire stream if they desire - as shown in this example.


The host or a trusted assistant can now temporarily mute a rude spectator for a few seconds, minutes, or the entire LIVE. If a user's account is muted for an extended period, their entire comment history will be erased. On LIVE, hosts can already disable comments or use a keyword filter to minimize potentially dangerous comments. We hope that these additional restrictions will empower both hosts and viewers to conduct safe and enjoyable live streams.

The ability to delete all of a user's prior remarks is a significant enhancement that could aid in managing live-stream interaction and reducing undesirable distractions in the comment stream. Which has always been a source of contention. After several investigations revealed that women and young people, in particular, tended to draw all kinds of offensive remarks and comments during their broadcasts, Twitter was obliged to amend its policies concerning live-stream interaction in 2018.


To maximize appeal, TikTok, which is experimenting with live-stream commerce through various collaborations with big-name brands, must also provide a brand- and consumer-safe environment. With this in mind, the ability to rapidly switch off offensive commentators and reduce their influence could be a useful addition. In July, TikTok released a new live-stream moderators option to provide further management options in this regard.


The news is part of TikTok's newest Community Guidelines Enforcement report, which details all of TikTok's actions in response to platform rule infractions between April and June of this year. TikTok claims to have eliminated more than 81 million films over that time, which equates to fewer than 1% of all videos submitted on the platform - implying that TikTok now sees more than 90 million videos uploaded per day. This makes it reasonable, considering that the app now has over a billion users, but it does expand the platform's potential.

Tiktok has detected and erased 93.0 percent of those films within 24 hours of their posting, and 94.1 percent before a user reported them. Since their last report, 87.5 percent of removed items received no views, which is an improvement (81.8 percent ). TikTok also claims that its new notifications, which were introduced in March and push users to contemplate potentially unpleasant comments, are having an impact.


The impact of these prompts has already been felt, with nearly four out of ten users withdrawing and editing their comments. Though not everyone chooses to change their comments, the impact of features like this encourages them to continue developing and experimenting with novel interventions to avoid possible abuse. Similar prompts have been adopted on Twitter and Instagram, which, based on this research, may help to reduce tension in replies.


TikTok prioritizes user safety, as the app's allure to younger users risks encouraging undesired exposure and connection if left unchecked. TikTok has been criticized in the past for failing to safeguard underage users from damage, and with concerns about its prior moderation systems, which were defined by Chinese legislation, the platform is well aware that it is under fire on this front and that it must work hard to preserve trust. This is why measures like these are critical, as they will help the app maximize advertiser interest by creating a safer, more welcoming atmosphere.


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