Some Black TikTok creators describe unfair treatment by the platform and wider influencer economy, leading some to strike from creating new dances (Some Black Tiktoksimonettibloomberg)

Some Black Tiktoksimonettibloomberg: Recently, TikTok has faced scrutiny from the public and celebrities alike for “curbing freedom of expression” on their platform. As a result of this, some influencers have ditched the app in protest. This article explores that trend and what it means for the future of TikTok as a platform.

TikTok has come under fire recently with many influencers voicing their frustrations with what they perceive as unfair treatment from both the platform itself and the wider influencer economy.

Several influencers including Willow and Nicole Rashid, have quit TikTok in recent months in response to being pressured by the company to alter their monetization methods.

“TikTok has gotten so big and so powerful that we all feel like we have no control over our voices anymore,” Willow wrote on Instagram. “And now they are putting all of our brands at risk by forcing us to do things that are not safe or healthy for our age group.”

TikTok’s monetization policy was recently altered to remove adult content and its new ‘trending tags’ which were introduced to the app in April, gives the app day-to-day control over what is trending on the platform. It has led to a divide in how users perceive their experience on the platform. Many Black influencers have also criticised TikTok for its lack of diversity and representation.

This has lead to a trend of influencers quitting the app in protest. It’s something that is recently seen as “the rallying cry” among influencers, according to The Sun.

However, some Black influencers argue that they are choosing not continue to create on the platform because they don’t feel their work is valued enough by TikTok.

“It’s not about the money,” Rashid told the publication.

“It has just become a place where there is no room for creativity or individuality. I have friends whose videos have been age restricted and they are being told to repurpose their videos. That is not fair on any level.”

In early June, TikTok released a survey to influencers asking them what they thought of the platform, and how it could change.

The survey included questions regarding how TikTok could better support their influencers, what the app should do about age restrictions, and whether or not the company should take a stronger stance against non-dance content.

This has led some influencers to describe a “lack of transparency” from the company.

However, TikTok has also said that in an effort to combat weird dancing trends on the platform they have made changes to their monetization policies.