AI technology misuses TikTok, translating Hitler’s speeches into English, sparking outrage and drawing millions of views.
At a Glance
- AI-generated Hitler speeches gain millions of views on TikTok.
- TikTok violates guidelines on hateful propaganda.
- TikTok’s algorithm promotes Neo-Nazi content.
- Exploitations of TikTok’s ‘sounds feature’ challenge moderation efforts.
- International extremist recruitment thrives on TikTok.
AI-Generated Hitler Speeches
AI-generated translations of Adolf Hitler’s speeches are flooding TikTok, garnering millions of views. The videos violate TikTok’s guidelines against hateful propaganda, yet they have become widely shared. Media Matters reported that these videos often use euphemisms, like calling Hitler “the great painter,” to avoid direct identification.
Viewer comments reflect a mix of praise and skepticism. Alarmingly, some comments express admiration for Hitler. Sky News found over 70,000 TikTok posts using Nazi recordings, attracting over 21 million likes. The most popular Hitler speech sound has been used in over 10,300 videos.
Maybe we should skip having AI translating Hitler speeches to reach more humans, you guys. https://t.co/PbKlgfEqtv
— Kendall Brown (@kendallybrown) February 13, 2024
Moderation Challenges on TikTok
TikTok has paled in effectively moderating these posts despite having policies against promoting hateful ideologies. According to Wired, extremist accounts post videos promoting Holocaust denial and glorifying Hitler, often using Nazi symbols in profile pictures. A TikTok spokesperson claimed that TikTok removes over 98% of hateful content before it is reported, but coded language and symbols used by extremists pose significant challenges.
“Hateful behavior, organizations and their ideologies have no place on TikTok, and we remove more than 98 percent of this content before it is reported to us,” Jamie Favazza, a TikTok spokesperson, told WIRED.
Researchers have noted that the platform’s algorithm quickly suggests extremist content, exacerbating the issue. A Media Matters investigation discovered that TikTok’s search-prompting feature suggested searches related to Hitler’s speeches, facilitating access to the content.
Short form content is killing this generation man.
A speech like Hitler's can't even be presented in its proper context, and now tiktok and #Histwitter users buy into Hitler's speech and effect as it is and not think about it critically. The post's replies are horrendous. https://t.co/gx15sCWxQY
— Pranプラン (@pran_yt) September 24, 2024
International Extremist Network
TikTok hosts an international extremist network with content in multiple languages, including French, German, and Russian. Extremist organizations openly recruit on TikTok. ISD researchers created new accounts to study how Nazi content is promoted, finding that TikTok’s algorithm quickly suggested extremist content.
“Hateful behavior, organizations and their ideologies have no place on TikTok, and we remove more than 98 percent of this content before it is reported to us,” Jamie Favazza, a TikTok spokesperson, told WIRED.
Nazi speeches and marching music have become popular ‘sounds’ on TikTok, posing a challenge for moderators. The rise of AI-generated content is leading to novel forms of disinformation promoting hateful ideologies.
