Social media platform TikTok joins the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online
TRAFFIC researchers have documented the reliance of wildlife traffickers on social media platforms to facilitate illegal wildlife trade globally. That’s why today, TRAFFIC is excited to welcome TikTok into the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online, joining 38 other tech companies working together to protect species like tigers, birds and reptiles from illegal trade online.
TikTok will work alongside the convening organizations of the Coalition, TRAFFIC, WWF and IFAW, to better understand the nature of illegal wildlife trade specific to their platform, and to develop a detailed action plan to address it.
Partnering with social media platforms is critical to have an impact in reducing wildlife trafficking online."
Giavanna Grein, Senior Program Officer with TRAFFIC
“We are grateful to TikTok for taking this issue seriously and stepping up to ensure there is no home for wildlife trafficking on their platform.”
We’re delighted to join the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online today. TikTok is a space for creative expression and content promoting wildlife trafficking is strictly prohibited. We look forward to partnering with the Coalition and its members as we work together to share intelligence and best-practices to help protect endangered species.”
Luc Adenot, Global Policy Lead, Illegal Activities & Regulated Goods, TikTok
Since the Coalition launched in 2018, companies have reported blocking or removing 4 million listings that violated prohibited wildlife policies.
More information can be found through TikTok’s newsroom.
Notes:
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire and enrich people’s lives by offering a home for creative expression and an experience that is genuine, joyful, and positive. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. www.tiktok.com.
About the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online
The Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online launched in 2018 and is jointly convened by WWF, TRAFFIC and IFAW. Now comprising 39 tech company members, this collaboration aims to unite the tech industry to standardize prohibited wildlife policies, train staff to better detect illicit wildlife products, enhance automated detection filters, and educate and empower users to report suspicious listings. At the core of this effort is sharing learning and best practices across company platforms to avoid duplication and prevent wildlife traffickers from shifting activities from one platform to the next.
