TikTok's Lucrative Fake News Accounts Fuel Misinformation, Challenge Monetization Policies

TikTok has become a platform where creators earn significant income by spreading sensationalized and often fabricated news stories. Victor, a 29-year-old TikTok creator from the Marseille region, earns between 1,500 and 4,500 euros per month by managing multiple accounts that focus on bizarre and emotionally charged content. He dedicates about six hours daily to this work, targeting stories that provoke strong audience reactions, such as rumors of kidnappings and fictitious curfews.

Journalist Océane Herrero describes this trend as the "industrialization of false information," emerging from TikTok's emotional video-driven format. While sensational stories flourish, serious news concerning regions like the Middle East or Africa is often avoided to comply with TikTok's strict monetization policy requirements, which include having over 10,000 followers and substantial viewership.

Some creators bypass these restrictions by using friends' accounts in France, as Eric from Dakar does, aiding his financial recovery after an accident. Young creators like Maxime openly admit monetization drives their content creation, with recent earnings from a viral deepfake video.

The phenomenon reveals a growing distrust of traditional media, with users favoring independent sources. Despite TikTok's commitment to combating misinformation, including partnerships with fact-checkers like AFP, enforcement remains challenging. Herrero warns this spread of fake news risks undermining public trust in political institutions by promoting fictitious policies.

This evolving dynamic highlights the tension between content monetization and the integrity of information on social media platforms like TikTok.