Undoubtedly one of the most successful apps during the lockdown phase as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world, Google seems to be coming in to save TikTok after it received very negative reviews over the last couple of weeks.
Many people around the world have downloaded the App and used it for various challenges for example #DontRushChallenge, #PushUpChallenge, #DaddyChallenge, and so many others.
However, as time has progressed, many users of the App have expressed dissatisfaction with the Application, and with many Tech critics citing that the App is allowing private data of users to be accessed by many people and data mining companies, this is a no surprise.
Probably the major set back for the platform or the App has to have been when an Indian creator posted a spoof video of an acid attack. This created outrage among the users of the App.
The video created negative feedback for the App that led many people to give the App 1 rating which sent the overall ratings of the App from 4.2 to 1.2 stars overnight.
According to BBC, Faizal Siddiqui has apologized, and TikTok has deleted copies of his clip. But Google intervened after it determined that critics had set up fake accounts to amplify their protests.
Why Were Millions Giving Tiktok Negative Ratings?
The video in question had appeared to show Mr. Siddiqui threatening a woman who had decided to leave him.
In the clip, he threw liquid at the woman’s face. It was water, but the next scene showed the woman’s face covered in make-up that resembled the scars and bruising that acid might cause.
“As per the policy, we do not allow content that risks the safety of others, promotes physical harm, or glorifies violence against women,” a spokesman for TikTok said.
“The behavior in question violates our guidelines and we have taken down content, suspended the account, and are working with law enforcement agencies as appropriate.”
Mr. Siddiqui later said: “As a social media influencer, I realize my responsibility and apologize to anyone who was offended by the video.”
After TikTok became embroiled in the backlash, Google removed more than 5 million of its recent one-star reviews but left many others active.
A spokesman for Google said it had taken “corrective action”.
“When we learn of incidents of spam abuse, we review and take corrective action to remove inappropriate ratings and comments,” he added.
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