REPORTER:  

A human rights group and lawmakers stand together in Taipei, calling for attention to the social media app TikTok, which they say is addictive and threatens the mental and physical well-being of over 380 thousand children in Taiwan.

Eeling Chiu (SECRETARY GENERAL, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TAIWAN):  

[TikTok] keeps promoting these bot accounts that create content that affects [users’] health. Some even glamorize or romanticize depression, sadness or even suicide-related messages. Why does this kind of content have a big influence? It’s because the platform has been collecting user data for a long time. That means it can tailor content specifically for them, attract them and keep them coming back to the endless pit of content, like [falling down] a rabbit hole.

REPORTER:  

Amnesty International, which has published two reports accusing TikTok of doing harm to children, hit a wall when the company brushed off the accusations. Now, they’ve brought the issue up to the legislative level. While it’s extremely difficult to filter out all potentially harmful content, it IS possible to stop the app from recommending such content based on personal data.

Puma Shen (LEGISLATOR, DPP):  

First of all, children’s data must not be harvested arbitrarily. Personal or parental consent is required when collecting data. If a social media platform violates these principles or children’s digital privacy, it should face appropriate penalties.

REPORTER:  

But before any domestic laws can hold the app accountable, lawmakers say there needs to be a government body in charge of foreign online platforms, and next, a local TikTok office to work directly with the authorities.

Lin Yue-chin (LEGISLATOR, DPP):  

First of all, we don’t have regulatory authority. We’ve asked the digital affairs ministry, the National Communications Commission, and the health ministry, but everyone says they’re not in charge. If we want proper regulation, [TikTok] has to localize. Otherwise, it’s basically a no-man's land. It can’t be regulated without a local office. Every time we deal with an overseas service, we just shrug and say there’s nothing we can do.

REPORTER:  

Children’s health is not the only issue where TikTok is concerned. National security was briefly raised during the conference, as some argue that the app’s Chinese origin could be a threat to digital safety. And TikTok is not the only social media platform accused of causing addiction and exposing children to harmful content. As social media apps continue to occupy the lives of young users, it could point to an extensive legal battle ahead for their regulation.

Eason Chen and Irene Lin in Taipei for TaiwanPlus.