January 6 rioters used video sharing app TikTok to recruit participants and even warned them to bring guns to the Stop the Steal rally that preceded it, the Department of Homeland Security says.
DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis filed a report this April highlighting concerns that violent content was growing on the Chinese-owned social media platform, from promoting the riot and acts of terrorism to instructing others how to build bombs and sabotage railroad tracks.
The five page report, obtained by the Property of the People transparency watchdog group and shared with Politico Thursday, comes as federal authorities examine the role social media companies like TikTok played in the Capitol riot, which left five people dead and more than 600 people charged with crimes.
Supporters of President Donald Trump used social platforms to organize the Jan 6. Capitol riot, with evidence showing that some had promoted violence using apps like TikTok
The Department of Homeland Security detailed how TikTok was being used to promote violence and extremism on its platform
TikTok, a Chinese-owned social media company, has about 100 million US users
DHS's officials issued a specific alert over TikTok because authorities had initially been unaware of the platform and how it was used.
But now officials understand that the platform has become a popular site for extremist activities, Politico reports.
The social media giant has about 100 million active users in the US, with TikTok generally seen as a place for younger users to upload funny or informative videos complete with sound and visual effects.
The agency cited multiple videos promoting the January 6 riot, including of one user who told others to bring firearms to the Capitol.
DHS also made notice of TikTok videos discussing how to tamper with railroad tracks, interfere with the National Guard during riots and how to access White House tunnels.
They also detailed incidents aboard where terrorists used the platform to promote their plans and ideals. In October 2019, ISIS had used TikTok to show off corpses, guns and their acts of violence.
Seamus Hughes, the deputy director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, said TikTok's algorithm makes it easy to bring alt-right conspiracy theories and extremist content to its users.
'The TikTok algorithm is so good that before you know it, you're on a domestic violent extremism spiral,' Hughes told Politico.
The DHS report made a similar point.
'TikTok's application layout and algorithms can unintentionally aid individuals' efforts to promote violent extremist content,' the report says.
'A user's account may have zero followers but could have substantial viewership on some videos, which could aid violent extremist TikTok users in evading TikTok's content moderation efforts,' it continues.
DHS warned that TikTok's algorithm makes it easy to spread extremist content
A graphic from TheDonald.win urges the public to 'be there' in Washington, DC, on January 6 where it 'will be wild.' It was posted on various social media platforms including TikTok
