TikTok has removed a controversial AI-powered “chubby filter” from its platform after facing heavy criticism from users, health experts, and advocacy groups. The filter, created by CapCut—a video editing app owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance—altered users’ appearances to make them appear overweight.
While CapCut is technically a separate app, the filter gained widespread attention on TikTok, where users posted before-and-after videos. Many shared the images in a lighthearted manner, with captions like “This is my motivation to go to the gym.” However, others quickly pointed out the harmful implications, arguing that the filter promoted body shaming and reinforced toxic beauty standards.
Backlash from Experts and Users
The filter faced swift backlash from body image experts, mental health advocates, and TikTok creators. Dr. Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, described the trend as “a huge step backward” in terms of weight stigma. “It fuels toxic diet culture and reinforces harmful stereotypes about people in larger bodies,” she told the BBC.
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Users also expressed their discomfort with the filter, highlighting its potential to harm self-esteem, particularly among young people. TikTok creator Sadie, who has 66,000 followers, was one of the voices calling for its removal. “Social media should be fun, not a space for bullying,” she said, adding that many women had messaged her saying the trend made them delete TikTok altogether.
Nina, a user from North Wales, voiced concerns about the message the filter was spreading. “It feeds into a toxic narrative linking appearance with self-worth,” she said. Another TikTok user, Emma from Ayr, said she found the filter “disheartening” as a curvier woman, noting that it made her feel as though people were ridiculing bodies that look like hers.
TikTok’s Response
Following the backlash, TikTok confirmed that the filter had been removed and that videos using it would be restricted. The platform stated that content featuring the filter would not be recommended to users, would be blocked for teen accounts, and could be taken down if it violated community guidelines against bullying or harassment. A TikTok spokesperson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to safety and inclusivity, explaining that they were actively reviewing content to ensure compliance with their policies.
Calls for Greater Accountability
While many welcomed TikTok’s decision to remove the filter, digital safety advocates argue that social media platforms need to be more proactive in preventing harmful content from going viral in the first place. The Habitat, a UK-based advocacy group focused on online safety, praised the move but warned that “by the time a harmful filter goes viral, the damage is often already done.”
This is not the first time TikTok has been criticized for promoting unrealistic beauty standards. In 2021, the platform faced scrutiny over filters that slimmed users’ faces or altered their features to fit conventional beauty ideals. Critics argue that such tools contribute to body dissatisfaction and pressure users—especially young people—to conform to unattainable standards.
Broader AI Ethics Debate
The controversy surrounding the “chubby filter” also highlights broader concerns about the ethical use of AI in media. As AI-driven image-altering tools become more advanced and accessible, experts warn that they can have significant social and psychological consequences.
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Jessica Sherwood, a BBC journalist who tested the filter herself, described feeling “incredibly uncomfortable” using it. “As someone who is body positive and has struggled with self-image, I was unhappy that TikTok pushed this filter to me,” she wrote. TikTok’s quick response to the backlash suggests an increasing awareness of these issues, but the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by AI-powered content on social media. With filters and other digital effects becoming more sophisticated, platforms will need to balance technological innovation with ethical responsibility.