TikTok is testing drastic changes to its “retouch” feature, and creators are concerned it could have a devastating impact on how people perceive themselves. What was once a button to blur out a bad skin day now offers subtle facial reconstruction with no disclaimer.
It’s not unusual for a social media app to introduce a new beauty filter. With every day comes a new batch of beauty filters on Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok that are clearly labeled when used and easy to share.
But this latest change is not just a novelty filter with a standard set of changes that are easy to detect, like the infamous puppy Snapchat filter or the Bold Glamour filter of days past. It’s customizable and subtle—creators can tweak individual facial features, like eye size and face shape. It’s a far cry from typical fad filters, and it could have devasting impacts, creators warn. …
