Social media companies have become a vital part of modern-day communication, providing an avenue for people worldwide to connect, share ideas and communicate with one another. However, as social media companies continue to grow and expand their reach, the power they wield has become a cause for concern, particularly regarding human rights abuses.
Governments, particularly authoritarian regimes, have taken advantage of social media platforms to suppress human rights and curtail free speech. This has been particularly prevalent in countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where social media platforms have been used as a tool to stifle political opposition, promote hate speech and even lead to arbitrary arrests.
In the UAE, authorities have arrested individuals for expressing opinions that criticize the government or its policies. Prominent human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor was arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison in 2018 for criticizing the UAE government on social media. Similarly, in KSA, authorities have used social media platforms to crackdown on dissent and silence critics of the government. In 2019, prominent women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was arrested for her online activism, which included advocating for women’s rights in the country.
It is clear that social media companies like TikTok have a responsibility to ensure that their platforms are not used as a tool for human rights abuses. The Washington Center for Human Rights calls on the US Congress to urge TikTok to enhance transparency and take steps to prevent its platform from being used to violate human rights.
Specifically, TikTok should be transparent about how it moderates content and its relationship with governments. The company should also have clear policies in place to prevent its platform from being used to promote hate speech, incite violence or suppress free speech.
In conclusion, social media companies have a global reach and their products enable governments to exert influence beyond their borders. This power can be used to promote human rights, but it can also be used to suppress them. The Washington Center for Human Rights urges TikTok to enhance transparency to prevent its platform from being used to violate human rights, particularly in countries like UAE and KSA, where human rights abuses are rampant. The US Congress should play a leading role in ensuring that social media companies are held accountable for their actions and work towards a future where human rights are respected and upheld online.