Tiktok has removed a viral “chubby filter” fueled in AI of its platform after a generalized game of users and health experts, which warned that the functionality encouraged body shame and could trigger food disorders.
The filter, which digitally changed the photos of users to make them appear overweight, was developed by Capcut, a video editing application belonging to Bytedance – the same parent company as Tiktok.
Although technically separate, the filter has been widely shared between Tiktok, arousing the indignation of users, influencers and scientists.
Initially shared in Jest, many users have published videos before and after using the filter, with legends such as “this is my motivation to go to the gymnasium”. But others quickly underlined the damaging implications.
“This filter is a huge step back,” said Dr. Emma Beckett, scientist of food and nutrition, in an interview with the BBC. “It feeds the cultivation of toxic food and strengthens harmful stereotypes on people in larger bodies.”
Videos using the filter, which appeared on Tiktok’s “For You” page, were often followed by others showing extreme transformations.
Critics have said that this normalized bodily shame and could exacerbate the negative body image, especially among young users.
The eminent creator of Tiktok Sadie, who has more than 60,000 subscribers, was one of those who call for his withdrawal. “Social media should be fun, not a space for intimidation,” she said. “Many women sent me a message by saying that the trend made them completely remove Tiktok.”
Tiktok has confirmed that videos using the filter would not be recommended, would be blocked for adolescent accounts and could be deleted if they violated community guidelines. A spokesperson said the company examined the content and reaffirmed that security and inclusiveness remain fundamental principles.
The Habitat, a defense group of defenders based in the United Kingdom, focused on digital security, praised the decision, but said that the platforms should be more proactive. “As a harmful filter becomes viral, damage is often already made,” said a spokesperson.
This is not the first time that Tiktok has faced criticism for the content of the promotion of harmful beauty standards. In 2021, the application was faced with a meticulous examination on similar filters which struck the faces of users or reshaped their functionalities.
The controversy occurs in the midst of wider conversations on the ethical use of AI in the media, in particular as the tools altering the image become more powerful and omnipresent.
Capcut did not publicly comment on the deletion of the filter.
