5 hours ago
3
TikTok says a “moderator error” delayed the removal of a livestream that appeared to show blogger Perez Hilton harming himself, as reported earlier by Wired. Jamie Favazza, a spokesperson for TikTok US, tells The Verge that the platform notified law enforcement about the situation and banned Hilton’s account for violating its community guidelines.
Hilton, or Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., is known for the celebrity gossip blog he started in 2004, where he often posted photos of stars featuring his own often obscene or cruel drawings layered on top.
Though some users claimed Perez’s livestream aired for more than 30 minutes, Favazza disputes this, saying it lasted around 15 minutes. Favazza adds that TikTok’s automated content moderation team flagged the video “within minutes” and routed it to US moderation teams. TikTok also took down the subsequent livestreams started by Hilton within 90 seconds. Screenshots and clips from the livestream are still floating around on some platforms like X.
The livestream aired on Tuesday night, with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responding to Hilton’s home after saying they received “multiple calls regarding an individual who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media,” according to CNN. The authorities transported Hilton to a local hospital.
The slow response to Hilton’s livestream has raised concerns about moderation on TikTok, which some creators have found to be unevenly applied. TikTok’s policies strictly prohibit content that “shows, promotes, or provides instructions for suicide or self-harm,” along with “extremely graphic, violent, or disturbing content.” On Wednesday, The New York Times reported that TikTok US is laying off 250 employees and shutting down its Nashville office, where part of its content moderation team is based.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help.
In the US:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741 from anywhere in the US, at any time, about any type of crisis.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). The original phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is available as well.
The Trevor Project: Text START to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386 at any time to speak to a trained counselor.
Outside the US:
The International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.
Befrienders Worldwide has a network of crisis helplines active in 48 countries. Click here to find them.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
.jpg?mbid=social_retweet)
English (US)