Meta and TikTok let harmful content rise after evidence outrage drove engagement, say whistleblowers

Whistleblowers have revealed that social media giants Meta and TikTok intentionally allowed more harmful content to be amplified on their platforms. This decision was reportedly driven by a calculated understanding that outrage-inducing material boosts user engagement. According to reports from the BBC, internal evidence suggests that both companies were aware of how their algorithms prioritized content that provoked strong emotional reactions, including negative ones, as a means to increase time spent on their platforms. This approach, whistleblowers claim, led to the deliberate promotion of content that could be detrimental to users. The revelations highlight a potential conflict between user well-being and the business models of these major social media corporations, where engagement metrics can take precedence over content moderation strategies.