TikTok has given a platform for a community of followers and celebrities/influencers to interact. However, it has also become a breeding ground for fraudulent scams and misuse of any user’s content. Along similar lines, Bethenny Frankel sued TikTok after she experienced misuse of her content.
The former reality TV star has garnered 900,000 followers on the platform. She has filed a class action suit against TikTok for ignoring the usage of her content for the illegal marketing of rip-off products. In the suit, she claimed that TikTok is incentivized for the scam ads that utilize influencers’ content. Due to her hard-earned reputation getting damaged, Frankel is taking the aid of the law to attract TikTok’s attention to this issue.
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TikTok Removed A Post Of Bethenny Frankel Flagging It As “Abusive”
On Thursday, Bethany filed a suit against TikTok for the misuse of her content to sell bogus products. The complaint came after an advertisement featuring a counterfeit cardigan used her video for promotion. The ‘Real Housewives Of New York‘ star alleged that TikTok is negligent about these counterfeit products abusing the content of the influencers. The objective of it is to push for policy formulations to protect the intellectual property rights of the influencers and other users on the platform.
Frankel has mentioned a cardigan advertisement that edited a video of hers to promote the knockoff. After posting a video for her followers about the ad, TikTok took down the video citing it was “abusive.” Now, Frankel is pushing for the damages that have marred her reputation and goodwill. The complaint that she and Class members filed read, “Ms. Frankel has invested substantial effort in preserving, protecting, and honing her reputation, and has amassed substantial goodwill and a favorable reputation during her career.”
Accusing TikTok, it continued, “By misappropriating Ms. Frankel’s voice and likeness, TikTok has not only traded on Ms. Frankel’s earned goodwill but are also depriving Ms. Frankel of the ability to control her reputation.”
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The Influencer Wants A Tangible Change In Laws On The Platform
Scams and fake advertisements are affecting consumers along with the influencers’ economy. As per Federal Trade Commission, consumers in the U.S. lost $770 million in these scams. TikTok, however, has claimed that there are tools and support systems to address the grievances of users and influencers alike.
A TikTok spokesperson said, “We have strict policies to both protect people’s hard-earned intellectual property and keep misleading content off of TikTok.” Despite complaints, she claimed, “Advertising content passes through multiple levels of verification before receiving approval, and we have measures in place to detect and remove fraudulent or violative ads.”
Bethenny alleged that she could not reach TikTok before hiring lawyers to combat the situation. In an interview, she said she wanted a “tangible change” in any form. Frankel said, “First and foremost, I want there to be a tangible change, whether it’s an act, a law, a process, a step, that protects content creators. An effort needs to be made by TikTok to protect creators and consumers. There are people who purchased these products after they saw these ads with me in them.”
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