December 22 2022 Incident: In the annals of TikTok’s history, December 22, 2022, is etched as a day of infamy, marking the occurrence of what has become known as the “December 22 Incident.” This incident revolves around a controversial trend on TikTok that involved the dissemination of adult content through slideshows, leaving the TikTok community in shock and sparking a wave of discussions on content moderation.
What Was the December 22 Incident?
The December 22 incident, also referred to as the TikTok slideshow incident, unfolded when users discovered an unexpected avenue to share explicit content using TikTok’s slideshow effect. Noah Glenn Carter, in a video addressing the issue, described it as the “most infamous day in TikTok history.” According to Carter, users realized they could exploit the slideshow feature to post adult content, which then gained unprecedented traction.
“On that day, many TikTok users found out they could post [adult content] if they posted [it] using TikTok’s slideshow effect,” Carter explained. “The [adult content] went mega, mega, viral.”
December 22 2022 Incident
The controversy deepened as TikTok’s algorithm inexplicably started recommending these explicit slideshow videos to a vast audience. Videos containing adult content amassed millions of views, with some escaping the scrutiny of content moderators.
“For some reason, TikTok’s algorithm started recommending it to everyone on the app, and videos that were just straight [adult content] were getting millions upon millions of views, and many of them weren’t even getting taken down,” highlighted Carter.
This unprecedented exposure of explicit content sparked discussions on TikTok’s content moderation policies and the efficacy of its algorithms in identifying and suppressing inappropriate material.
As the December 22 incident unfolded, the content shared through TikTok’s slideshow effect took a particularly graphic and explicit turn. According to Know Your Meme, numerous slideshow videos contained not only explicit adult content but also graphic and often hentai images, adding another layer of controversy to the situation.
What Happened On December 22?
Despite the viral nature of the content, TikTok eventually responded to the situation. As reported by various sources, including Dexerto and Indy100, the explicit slideshow videos began circulating on December 22, 2022 but were successfully removed by TikTok’s moderators by December 25, 2022.
Several slideshow videos containing graphic content and nudity, especially hentai images, began circulating on December 22, 2022, before they all got taken down by December 25,” reported Know Your Meme.
The December 22 incident sparked a significant response from the TikTok community, prompting discussions about the platform’s responsibility in regulating content and protecting its user base, particularly younger users who might have been exposed to the explicit material.
In the aftermath of the incident, users, content creators, and even TikTok itself engaged in conversations about the need for robust content moderation measures and the challenges posed by unforeseen exploits of platform features.
The December 22 Incident remains a noteworthy chapter in TikTok’s history, serving as a reminder of the challenges that social media platforms face in maintaining a safe and secure environment for users. As the platform continues to evolve, incidents like these underscore the importance of constant vigilance, adaptability in content moderation strategies, and a commitment to user safety in the ever-changing landscape of online interactions.
