Social Media Giants Criticized for Failing LGBTQ+ Safety

GLAAD's annual Social Media Safety Index claims major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X have regressed in protecting LGBTQ+ users due to rolling back safety measures. The report criticizes Meta and Google's YouTube for undermining LGBTQ safety. GLAAD calls for greater protective measures for LGBTQ individuals.

In its annual Social Media Safety Index, advocacy group GLAAD has criticized major social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X for failing to safeguard LGBTQ+ users from hate and harassment. The report blames the rollback of previous safety measures for this alarming trend.

GLAAD's findings highlight recent policy rollbacks by companies like Meta and Google's YouTube, which are accused of compromising both online and offline safety for LGBTQ individuals. According to the scorecard, X, formerly Twitter, scored the lowest, while TikTok emerged with the highest score among the platforms evaluated.

The advocacy group urges platforms to enhance protections by prohibiting harassment and violence against LGBTQ users and reversing controversial policies. Despite claims of unchanged policies from some companies, GLAAD calls for explicit measures to include gender identity and expression under hate speech protections.

(With inputs from agencies.)