TikTok faces Senate scrutiny over confidential algorithmic experiment document

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal have criticized TikTok for refusing to release a confidential document regarding an algorithmic experiment conducted on millions of users. The senators described the company's refusal as ‘outrageous’ and ‘insulting.’

TikTok stated in a September 1 letter that it cannot provide the document or answer specific questions due to ongoing litigation. The document, which was brought to light by Bloomberg, details an experiment from 2023 in which TikTok reportedly tested the removal of safety safeguards for harmful content from approximately 10% of its U.S. users, affecting roughly 15 million people.

The investigation follows the death of 16-year-old Chase Nasca, who committed suicide after being exposed to thousands of videos regarding depression and suicide promoted by the platform's algorithm. The internal document includes details regarding Nasca's viewing history and questions why the algorithm continued to serve suicide-related content to his account even a year after his death.