According to new data obtained through a Freedom of Information Request by DJ Mag, the Metropolitan Police have submitted 366% more requests to have UK drill content removed from TikTok since 2020. The figures reveal that 64% of the content removal requests made by the Met from the video-sharing platform were drill-related. In 2022, 89% of the Met’s referral requests on TikTok were also related to drill, while 100% of requests in 2021 were for the same reason.
The growing censorship of TikTok content has attracted criticism, particularly from those who believe that the platform is crucial for artists to build their discovery and promotion. Manager and producer Kovani, who has worked with artists such as K Trap, Niska, Songer, and Midas The Jagaban, points out that the censorship takes away another opportunity for artists to develop their music careers. He also believes that the censorship could lead youths to turn to crime instead of focusing on their music.
TikTok has explained that it accepts removal requests from special police referral units if the content violates their community guidelines. Nevertheless, the representative from TikTok stresses that the platform welcomes the artistic and creative content that many UK drill artists bring to the platform’s vibrant music community.
The Met Police indicates that it works closely with social media platforms to identify content that could provoke or incite violence. Once the Met refers the content, the platforms make their decisions about whether to remove the content or not
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