All the major platforms are failing to protect LGBTQ+ people from potential harm, GLAAD’s annual report into social media safety has found. The LGBTQ+ media advocacy organisation released its fourth (SMSI) report on Tuesday (21 May), with TikTok earning a D+, while YouTube, X/Twitter and Meta’s Facebook, Instagram and Threads were handed an F for the . Three social media platforms showed some improvements since last year while others have fallen further down the rankings: TikTok, which scored the highest with a D+ grade, achieved a 10-point increase on 2023 because it made “several notable improvements to its policies”, the report says.
These included a revised anti-discrimination ad policy, increasing transparency for queer users regarding control over their own information, and – for which self-reporting is not required. However, the SMSI noted several areas where the platform still fails to protect users and could make changes to improve its score. “The company discloses only limited information regarding the proactive steps it takes to address wrongful demonetisation and removal of LGBTQ creators and content from ad services on the platform,” according to the report.
“TikTok also does not disclose any data showing how many pieces of content and accounts related to LGBTQ issues have been wrongfully demonetised or removed from ad services. While the company makes a public commitment to diversifying its workforce, it does not publish any data on its LGBTQ wor.
