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A recent examination of 200 cancer and autism videos on TikTok revealed that the majority contain inaccurate information. Marketplace analyzed these health videos and discovered that over 80% of the remedies discussed, with a combined view count exceeding 75 million, lack scientific backing.
Tim Caulfield, a researcher on health misinformation, highlighted that these videos gain traction due to engaging personal narratives. Testimonials and stories are a potent way to promote unproven treatments on social media platforms as they resonate with audiences.
The videos reviewed on TikTok were created by individuals ranging from parents of autistic children to individuals claiming to have cured cancer using the treatments they endorse. Some accounts potentially profited from promoting these alleged therapies.
In other news, Ticketmaster, the leading online ticket vendor, has pledged to crack down on large-scale scalpers who use fake accounts to purchase and resell tickets for events. This move follows a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission against Ticketmaster and LiveNation for deceptive ticket resale practices.
Lastly, a routine oil change at Canadian Tire turned into a hazardous situation for a driver when plastic zip ties were improperly used instead of bolts to secure a critical car part. The driver’s subsequent inquiry revealed a two-year struggle for answers regarding the repair.
If you have experiences with phone scams or have been impacted by rising food costs, Marketplace wants to hear from you. Share your story by emailing marketplace@cbc.ca. Stay updated with previous episodes of Marketplace on CBC Gem.
