TikTok is updating its livestreaming policies to limit children’s livestreaming and allow broadcasters to reach adults only.
In a blog post, TikTok announced a number of changes to its live streaming rules. Currently, anyone over the age of 16 with at least 1,000 followers can start a livestream on TikTok, and anyone over the age of 18 can send and receive tips. These “tips” stand out as one of the most important ways creators make money on the platform.
However, from November 23, only users aged 18 and over will be able to stream live.
“We are constantly improving the measures we implement to protect our users and content developers and support their well-being,” TikTok says in its blog post.
In addition to raising the minimum age requirement, live streamers will soon be able to target adults only in broadcasts that are more suitable for an adult audience.
TikTok Live is becoming an increasingly important part of creators’ income stream. Rest of World reported last month that TikTok owner ByteDance has partnered with influencer agencies that train creators to host live streams and tip viewers. According to Rest of World, the revenue from the virtual gifts is split between the developer, TikTok and the brokerage agency.
As livestreams gained more popularity, people also figured out how to take advantage of the tipping system. Live broadcasts have also been a site for fraud and disinformation, as broadcasters took advantage of fake footage from Ukraine when Russia invaded the country. And last week, a BBC study showed how Syrian families in refugee camps are broadcasting live to beg viewers for tips, thanks to intermediaries who provide families with equipment to make it easier to broadcast. In these cases, too, TikTok made a profit, even though the company said the content was not allowed. TikTok has told the BBC it will take action against exploitative begging.
New tools for content developers
In addition to new security updates, TikTok has also announced new tools for creators who live stream on the platform. First, creators can now go live with up to five guests using different layout options. In addition, TikTok says it has updated the keyword filtering feature it offers to broadcast owners to add blocked keywords in live broadcasts.
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