In last-ditch effort to boost credibility, TikTok restricts state-backed media outside home country

As a US ban looms on TikTok, the Chinese social media platform is taking one step after another to shore up its credibility and boost its acceptance among users. In a recent move, the app has decided to restrict the activities of state-backed media on its platform amid foreign influence concerns.

What'sTikTok'snew policy?

Under the new policy, any state-backed media hoping to reach users outside its home nation covering“current global events and affairs”will not appear inusers'"For You"feed.

A similar restriction would be placedon advertising too.Any state mediawon'tbe allowed to place advertisements“outside of the country with which they are primarily affiliated”,TikTok said.

TikTok defines state media as a portal“whose editorial output or decision-making process is subject to control or influence by a government”.

In a statement,the Chinese social media site said it foiled 15 foreign influence operations and restricted more than 3,000 accounts.

“We found that a majority of these networks were attempting to influence political discourse among their target audience, including in relation to elections,”the company said in a blog statement.

TikTok to let creators earnmore

In a bid toboost its acceptance among its users and creators community, TikTok has also decided to expand its monetisation programme.Now, creatorshavingmore than 1,000 followerswould be able tomake money, down from the previously prescribed threshold of 5,000.

Such creatorswouldalsobe able tomake money using affiliating marketing tools on the short video platform.

TikTok facing existentialthreat

Last month, the US Congress passed a billthat requiresTikTok'sparent company ByteDancetosell the app to another playerwhichisnot controlledby a“foreign adversary”. The bill states that thecompany'sfailure to do so within one year will automatically result in an all-out ban on the app in the US.

Watch:TikTok: Firm never shared user data with Chinese government

Last week,it was reportedthat TikTok is mulling laying off hundreds of employees in line withByteDance'sefforts to restructure its business.

(With inputs from agencies)