Google has removed 80 lakh negative reviews after China’s leading video sharing social media app Tik Tok’s rating fell from 4.5 to 1.2 starts.
The plunge happened after an India based content creator, Faizal Siddique posted a spoofed video of an acid attack on the app, because of which he received backlash.
The angry netizens then not only criticised the creator but also the app for promoting domestic violence, animal cruelty, child abuse, racism and objectification of women.
Sidiqque apologised and Tik Tok suspended his account, and deleted the reuploads of the video.
Following this, Tik Tok spokes person while talking to BBC said, “as per the policy, we do not allow content that risks the safety of others, promotes physical harm, or glorifies violence against women.”
“The behaviour in question violates our guidelines and we have taken down content, suspended the account, and are working with law enforcement agencies as appropriate,” he added.
The backlash has resulted in millions of Indians giving the app a one-star rating on its Google Play and the app’s overall rating globally has tanked from 4.5 as of earlier this month to as low as 1.2 — until Google intervened.
A Google spokesperson said the company removed millions of negative Tik Tok reviews that users had posted as a corrective action to curb spam abuse. After this correction, Tik Tok’s rating has recovered slightly to as high as 1.6 — in Europe, it currently sits at 1.4, TechCrunch reported.
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