Douyin

Beijing, China

Douyin is a Chinese short video platform that allows users to create, edit, and share short videos. Operated by ByteDance, it serves as the Chinese counterpart to TikTok and is heavily moderated in accordance with China’s strict content regulations.

CCI Score

-57.24

0.02% April 18

Latest Event

Douyin Content Moderation and Censorship Practices

An investigation reveals harsh working conditions and aggressive state-aligned censorship protocols enforced by Douyin’s content moderation, contributing to authoritarian control over political narratives.

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QUISLING

Douyin is currently rated as a Quisling.

-44 to -59 CCI Score

These companies are fully aligned with authoritarian regimes. They not only support but also enforce oppressive policies, playing a significant role in the regime’s operational apparatus and contributing directly to its consolidation of power.

Latest Events

MAR

21

2025

Douyin Content Moderation and Censorship Practices
-77.50

An investigation reveals harsh working conditions and aggressive state-aligned censorship protocols enforced by Douyin’s content moderation, contributing to authoritarian control over political narratives.
MAY

14

2024

Douyin's Content Moderation Tightens Political Expression
-54.67

Douyin has introduced new regulations restricting the dissemination of politically related content by individual users and influential accounts. While the company claims this is to safeguard creators and optimize the user experience, the policy effectively curtails political discourse and aligns with state-driven censorship practices, reinforcing an authoritarian approach to media control.
-60

Media Influence and Propaganda

March 20

By restricting users from publishing content on political, social, legal, and medical issues, Douyin is engaging in a form of censorship that limits political debate and aligns with state propaganda. Although the move is justified as a protective measure for creators, it simultaneously contributes to an atmosphere of repression and reinforces authoritarian control over public discourse.

Douyin restricts users from publishing political, social affairs, legal and other content for commercial purposes
JUN

07

2023

Allegations of Repressive Surveillance and Propaganda Tactics by ByteDance
-62.23

A former ByteDance executive has alleged that the Chinese Communist Party used a 'god' credential to access sensitive user data, tracking Hong Kong protesters and promoting propaganda that supports authoritarian practices. These actions raise serious concerns about Douyin’s complicity in facilitating repressive surveillance and influencing public discourse in favor of autocratic control.
-80

Provision of Repressive Technologies

March 20

The allegations indicate that ByteDance provided a 'god' credential which allowed Chinese Communist Party officials to bypass data protections and surveil Hong Kong protesters. This use of technology directly supports repressive surveillance measures and is deeply complicit with authoritarian practices.

Former ByteDance executive says Chinese Communist Party tracked Hong Kong protesters via data
-70

Media Influence and Propaganda

March 20

In addition to surveillance concerns, the filing accuses ByteDance of acting as a propaganda tool for the CCP by promoting nationalistic content and suppressing dissenting views. This manipulation of media content contributes to shaping narratives that align with authoritarian objectives.

Former ByteDance executive says Chinese Communist Party tracked Hong Kong protesters via data
DEC

28

2022

Douyin's Censorship of Anti-PRC Content
-55.58

An analysis of how Douyin enforces strict censorship by banning anti-PRC and anti-Communist Party content, effectively reinforcing state propaganda and authoritarian objectives through its technological infrastructure.
-70

Technology and Services Impact

March 20

Douyin enforces censorship measures that suppress anti-PRC and anti-Communist Party content in accordance with state directives. By using its platform to eliminate dissenting views and promote a state-approved narrative, Douyin is effectively deploying technology in a repressive manner that bolsters authoritarian propaganda. This practice, under the 'Technology and Services Impact' umbrella, contributes significantly to the environment that supports authoritarian regimes.

How Douyin Censors Anti-PRC, Communist Party Content
DEC

15

2022

Douyin Implicated in Technology-Facilitated Repression
-54.65

A recent article highlights concerns about Chinese tech companies, including Douyin's international counterpart TikTok, being instrumental in enabling surveillance and censorship that suppress religious freedom. The company's alignment with state practices and potential involvement in political lobbying raises significant concerns about its complicity in authoritarian control.
-60

Public and Political Behavior

March 20

The article suggests that Douyin, through its association with ByteDance, is intertwined with political mechanisms that support the Chinese government's authoritarian agenda. The platform’s policies and potential indirect political lobbying contribute to perceptions that it aids in suppressing dissent and religious freedom, aligning with repressive state practices.

Is China Using Technology To Suppress Religious Freedom? US Thinks So..
-80

Technology and Services Impact

March 20

Douyin, as part of ByteDance, is implicated in the provision of repressive technologies. The international version, TikTok, has been targeted by proposed legislation due to concerns that it facilitates advanced surveillance and censorship, tools which are essential for authoritarian regimes to control public discourse and suppress opposition.

Is China Using Technology To Suppress Religious Freedom? US Thinks So..
SEP

28

2020

Douyin's Role in Chinese State Censorship and Surveillance
-52.30

A Human Rights Watch report details how Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok operated by ByteDance, works directly with Chinese state authorities to censor politically sensitive content and spread state propaganda, contributing to an environment of repression and surveillance.
-82.5

Technology and Services Impact

March 20

The article from Human Rights Watch describes how Douyin actively collaborates with Chinese law enforcement and the Ministry of Public Security to remove content deemed politically sensitive. This deliberate facilitation of government censorship, surveillance, and propaganda on its platform demonstrates a significant complicity in bolstering authoritarian practices. Its role in disseminating state propaganda and employing repressive technology warrants a strongly negative score within the Technology and Services Impact category.

Chinese Tech Firms Fueling Beijing's Repression
NOV

28

2019

Douyin’s Role in Facilitating Repressive Tech and Censorship
-43.74

A Washington Post report highlights that ByteDance, the parent company of Douyin, has been involved in supplying technology used to censor and surveil Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. This activity supports China’s authoritarian agenda by enforcing repressive surveillance and media censorship policies.
-80

Provision of Repressive Technologies

March 20

Douyin, under ByteDance, is reported to provide technology that enables state censorship and surveillance. The Washington Post article details how the platform cooperates with the Communist Party’s directives, particularly in monitoring and repressing Uighur Muslims, highlighting a significant complicity in authoritarian repression.

TikTok’s owner is helping China’s campaign of repression in Xinjiang, report finds - The Washington Post
-70

Media Influence and Propaganda

March 20

The content moderation and censorship practices on Douyin serve not only to control information but also to propagate government-approved narratives. This collaboration with state directives contributes to an environment where dissent is suppressed and authoritarian messaging is amplified, marking a clear alignment with repressive propaganda strategies.

TikTok’s owner is helping China’s campaign of repression in Xinjiang, report finds - The Washington Post