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TikTok updated the in-application 2020 Elections Guide it rolled out in late September as Election Day draws nearer.
Eric Han, head of safety for TikTok U.S., said in a blog post that the platform’s fact-checking partners will help it reduce the discoverability of content that prematurely claims victory in a race before results are confirmed by The Associated Press, adding that in cases where claims can’t be verified or fact-checking efforts are inconclusive, distribution of that content will be limited.
TikTok will also include a banner directing viewers to the 2020 Elections Guide and its sections on unverifiable claims about voting, premature declarations of victory and or attempts to dissuade people from voting by exploiting Covid-19 as a voter suppression tactic.
Starting on Election Day, Nov. 3, access to the website for the Election Assistance Commission will be added to the 2020 Elections Guide for users with questions about polling locations, hours, state registration requirements or other issues.
The phone number for the Election Protection Hotline will also be included for TikTok community members experiencing voting difficulties, and that service is available in Asian languages, Arabic, English and Spanish, as well as a video call option for American Sign Language.
Han said TikTok is also working with the AP to provide access to its interactive map—with live results in the races for ballot initiatives, Congress, governor and president at the federal and state levels—in the For You feed in its app.
TikTok users will also be able to access commonly asked questions and answers from the National Association of Secretaries of State on the voting process, including voting by mail or in-person, as well as how election results are compiled and what to expect during the counting process.
The 2020 Elections Guide is accessible via the Discover page, through election-related search results and on videos related to the election or posted by verified political accounts.
Han wrote, “Interest in the U.S. elections is palpable, with many Americans having already cast ballots and many more preparing to exercise their right to vote in the coming days. And while TikTok isn’t an app built around political debates or real-time news, we want to make sure we’re supporting our community with access to authoritative information if they’re having relevant conversations in our app.”
