TikTok and Meta risked safety to win algorithm arms race, whistleblowers say
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
TikTok and Meta knowingly promoted harmful content to boost engagement through outrage-driven algorithms.
How This Affects You
Your social media feeds may contain more harmful content designed to trigger emotional responses and increase screen time.
AI Summary
Whistleblowers allege that TikTok and Meta compromised user safety in their competition to develop superior algorithms. The companies reportedly permitted more harmful content on users' feeds while being aware that their algorithms were driven by outrage.
What's Being Done
Whistleblowers have provided testimony to the BBC about the companies' practices.
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
CorporateMeta on trial over child safety: can it really protect its next generation of users?
<p>New Mexico prosecutors allege Meta prioritized profit, even as child abuse surged on Instagram and Facebook</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/meta">Meta</a> is facing a reckoning over its child safety practices as a trial surfaces fresh allegations that the company prioritized profit incentives and engagement over protecting children.</p><p>The landmark trial in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/newmexico">New Mexico</a> has now completed its fifth week, with the state attorney general resting the case on 5 March. Proceedings are expected to continue for another week as Meta ...
EnvironmentTrump Officials Weigh New Plan to Stop Offshore Wind Farms
Proposed settlements would block wind farms off New York State and North Carolina, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times.
PoliticsScoop: How the left plans to start winning Democratic primaries again
<p>Progressives plan to exert more pressure in Democratic congressional primaries to get the left to coalesce behind one viable candidate rather than split the vote and create an opening for moderates, Axios has learned.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>This new strategy reflects how progressives are adapting after a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/the-squad-left-suffers-complete-wipeout-in-illinois" target="_blank">bruising Illinois primary night</a> in which they won just one of the four open House races they were targeting.</p><hr><ul><li>It was a disappointing result for the left after <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/new-jersey-mejia-election-primary-democrats-left" target="_blank">their shock win</a> in a New Jersey special election last month to replace now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill.</li><li>"I think because we had these wins, the progressive movement is like, 'Okay, we're going to win everywhere,'" Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told Axios.</li><li>The Californ...
HealthPower outages can threaten the lives of medical device users – knowing who is most at risk will help cities respond
Premature deaths rise during long-term blackouts, and ERs fill up. Knowing who is at risk and some creative solutions can help.
TechnologyNewly discovered photos show astronaut Neil Armstrong after the Gemini 8 emergency - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilAFBVV95cUxQOGsyWWhoMmRVNi1iZU9PQ2RWdF9XaW1hdjVQckpocllGS19QNUtNNi0tdXB4UEtVYml0MVNnYnpkMUI2WEhrMV81MzZ3VGFndFpXcFJQOGpzN05mREU5bUxHMmloOUtuWHJubFNIQVBHY1c1YnlScEk3NWdCaW1NajQ5MUZlVFVWUGNqSTNDQlN5LTZu?oc=5" target="_blank">Newly discovered photos show astronaut Neil Armstrong after the Gemini 8 emergency</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
TechnologyUS teen Lutkenhaus becomes youngest man to win title at world indoors - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxNd0tSQnlyYXZvaDZYSjZTQVl0dUQ0a1p2ZDJvM1pBbUU1dFh0bnZZaWNLWFJnQWt5WDMwTW01YlY5cnQxRDVFbndRRWt6b1RxY0R2ZEhjR3B6UzQ2N3h6QkRHTF9LMGZ3bGhUTERkR3Vham9TbE9WTi1BTjBQVGxBZ1BaZUdOTUlpckJPd1h6VjE2OVZYblhtdlBqY283M3VHX25EbG1QYUcwQQ?oc=5" target="_blank">US teen Lutkenhaus becomes youngest man to win title at world indoors</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
After hackers hit an Iowa company, cars around the country failed to start
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say
White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive
Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans
US moves to soften capital rules: ‘Big banks can declare mission accomplished’
The West's historic snow drought could bring water shortages, wildfires
