Below the Fold - is there such a thing as good hacking?

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WELLNESS CHECK
This edition leans...

Hey Below the Fold fam,

In a poll last week, we asked you if social media companies should be required to disclose how they regulate content on their platforms; 85% said yes. The natural next step is determining how that moderation is even conducted, which brings us to today’s story on how TikTok is struggling on this front.

TODAY'S STORY

TikTok’s new automated technology is removing helpful content
Mon Sep 13

It seems like social media companies are constantly stuck in the middle of what content should or shouldn’t be removed from their platforms. And now, cybersecurity experts whose content helps ethical hackers hone their craft and the general public protect themselves are seeing their good work thrown out with the bad.

The latest controversy centers around TikTok. The short-form video app automatically scans uploaded videos and identifies potential policy violations for further review. Previously, a member of TikTok’s safety team would assess these detected violations and notify the user. But in July, TikTok excitedly announced their new internal technology that will automatically remove offending content.

And cybersecurity content creators are not happy with the results as their videos are being removed. The majority of these creators upload educational videos demonstrating hacking techniques so viewers can learn to protect themselves. Some say just the inclusion of the word “hack” alone will get content flagged for removal. And while creators are able to appeal and get their videos back, most share how they get banned just about every week — even after a safety team member has said their video will be back up.

For some, it’s déjà vu. Two summers ago, YouTube created a new policy that specifically banned instructional hacking and phishing videos, sparking outrage for wrongly removing legitimate educational videos.

So how do you tell the difference between criminal and ethical hacking? While these companies take on the task of figuring it out, it’s clear the creators themselves are not ready to leave the platforms despite the messy rules. Creators say TikTok’s ability to reach Gen Z and millennials at rapid speeds makes it impossible to leave, unless forced off by too many content “violations.”

🎬 Take Action

If you believe your content has been unfairly blocked by TikTok, follow their support documentation for how to appeal it. In short, when notified that a video has been removed, click the “Submit an appeal” link.

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RESOURCE CENTER

Vice:
(Where we found this story)
8 days old | 5 minutes long

Politico:
Complaints from creators
1 month old | 4 minutes long

Social Media Today:
TikTok announced automated detection
2 months old | 6 minutes long

Forbes

YouTube’s controversial banning policy
2 years old | 7 minutes long

ICYMI (AGAIN)

Yesterday: Sensitive student information is being sold
Friday: A toilet for cows could help the environment
Thursday: Cash incentives to reduce gun crimes?

ASCII-ING ABOUT THE NEWS

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But this video is about protecting against hackers.
You know what they say though — takes one to know one.

Art Credit: ASCII Art Archive

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Below the Fold - is there such a thing as good hacking?

🎬 Take Action

RESOURCE CENTER

ICYMI (AGAIN)

Older messages

schools’ early start — in identity theft

German cattle got a bathroom upgrade.

cash for criminals?

this country loves America most of all

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