Latest news with #HelenaLersch
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Inside Helena Lersch's Values-Driven TikTok Leadership
Helena Lersch, Vice President of Public Policy at TikTok To say that Helena Lersch, Vice President of Public Policy at TikTok, has one of the most important jobs technology would be an understatement. TikTok is a global giant with over a billion users in a sector where engaging with policy makers is becoming increasingly critical. The influence of social media on young minds continues to spark intense public debate, making the protection of younger users a top priority for platforms like TikTok. This is where she has had a huge impact. Helena has helped shape TikTok from the ground up, quite literally. She was part of the original team that created the platform's first community guidelines - a crucial step she looks back on with pride. Helena Lersch, Vice-President of Public Policy at TikTok, on a recent visit to Bangkok. That early work laid the foundation for one of TikTok's most vital pillars of trust and safety. Today, this pillar is supported by a global network of tens of thousands, all focused on protecting users around the world. On 11 March 2025, TikTok introduced new safety tools specifically designed for teens and their parents, including greater visibility into how teens interact with content. 'I cannot emphasise enough how much I respect that team and the work that they do, as it is not easy,' Lersch says. 'I think we're moving in the right direction to address these challenges. If your teen reports a video, you as a parent can understand that, which I think is very important, so you have visibility on how your teen is engaging with content,' she says. Helena doesn't mince words when it comes to children and technology. 'I believe that under 13s should not be using social media,' she states bluntly. 'There's a reason why, by regulation, that isn't allowed. TikTok has also previously faced criticism over content quality and the promotion of unrealistic expectations. Helena is equally outspoken about how the platform is tackling these concerns head-on. She highlights the new Refresh feature, which lets users reset their 'For You' page at the click of a button and start over. 'I've actually done this several times because I felt like there was content that wasn't relevant for me,' she shares. 'I think it's important to give tools to empower our users to get the most positive experience that they want.' Many of these innovations stem directly from user input and are shaped with guidance from TikTok's Youth Council and Safety Advisory Councils. 'We always listen to user feedback,' she explains. 'We stay entrepreneurial. If there's a problem that our users face, we fix it. We develop something new.' Helena Lersch meeting attendees at a conference during her recent visit to Bangkok. It's this same spirit of entrepreneurship that has fueled one of TikTok's newest and most meaningful launches: the STEM feed – a curated stream of content focused on science, technology, engineering, and maths, as well as practical educational tools like English-language lessons. Helena sees it as a natural extension of the platform's mission to empower, and another way it is ensuring that youth on the platform have access to meaningful content. 'This is the content you'd want to engage with,' she says. 'As a parent, you can actually consume this content together with your teen and guide them.' This blend of global scale, personal purpose, and practical tools is what drives Helena's work - and what continues to shape TikTok into a platform where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand. Tyumen, Russia - January 21, 2020: TikTok application on screen Apple iPhone XR Since joining seven years ago, Helena has watched TikTok explode from a few hundred million users into a global powerhouse. With that growth has come a groundswell of opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs – many of them women - to turn their creativity into thriving businesses. Lersch's face lights up when she talks about one of them: Alexandra Lourdes, Las Vegas-based donut shop owner of Saint Honore Donuts, mother of two, and serial entrepreneur, whom she met at the 2024 APEC Summit in Peru. 'She now owns seven businesses and on TikTok she actually shows the way she lives, and how she raises two kids alongside the seven businesses. She was able to grow a fellowship and her businesses while she was on TikTok,' Lersch recalls. 'I can't tell you how inspiring it was to meet her.' She sees that same spark in Sarah Hamouda, founder of the now famous Dubai Chocolate, whose TikTok presence has catapulted her to global recognition. These women, Lersch says, 'made the most of technological development, while being so incredibly human, inspiring and at the end of the day, super successful.' These stories are fuel for Helena. They are the source of her energy. A powerful reminder of the real-world impact TikTok can have. Sarah Hamouda, founder of the now famous Dubai Chocolate, has been catapulted to global recognition ... More through her TikTok presence. This is what keeps her motivated. Lersch spends a staggering 50% of her time on the road, immersing herself in different global markets to gather on-the-ground insights. 'For example, I was in Indonesia two weeks ago, then I was in Thailand, where I met business owners and creators,' she says. This constant feedback loop between users, creators, and policymakers - in order to innovate - is core to her role. Managing a global team of 70 and spending half her time travelling, I wonder – does Helena ever feel overwhelmed? But for her, it's the deeper purpose behind the work that keeps everything in perspective. She holds herself to the very highest standards of getting it right, believing what she does is vitally important. When it comes to that ever-elusive concept of work-life balance, as a senior woman, she is refreshingly candid. 'This is a very difficult question. It's hard to balance. I think every mother would admit that. There are a lot of different models, and you have to pick what works for you,' she tells me. 'There are obviously moments when I'm needed at home, so then I'm at home. I think that's important. You have to prioritise balance. And sometimes you fail, and then you try again.' Mandeep Rai meets with Helena Lersch at Davos. The pair are pictured with Annette Krober-Riel, Vice ... More President, Government Affairs and Public Policy for Europe at Google and Melike Yetken Krilla, Head of International Organizations at Google. Lerch grew up in Tübingen, a picturesque town in southwest Germany, before her studies and job opportunities took her across Asia and eventually back to Europe. That cross-continental journey has shaped not only her broad worldview but the values that now anchor her leadership. 'I have 40 nationalities in my team, so it's very important to listen to everyone's opinion,' she explains. 'My team is very diverse, and I learn so much from them every day." One of her anchors through her entire TikTok journey has been mentorship from current and past colleagues across the globe. 'I think it's super important to have mentors to ask for support and advice,' Helena says. 'Talking through issues with other mentors, advisors, people that are 10 or 20 years ahead of you - that's very important. It has helped me a lot, and it continues to help.' Whether she's in Germany, Indonesia, or the US, Helena Lersch's values compass remains steady: be open, include others, innovate with purpose. In an industry often dominated by speed, scale, and algorithms, her approach at TikTok is remarkably human. Her story is a reminder that when values are lived - not just spoken - they can scale as powerfully as any technology. Perhaps, a lot of it is driven by a simple but profound thing she said to me: 'I find it very important that I'm still Helena from Tübingen.'
Zawya
27-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
TikTok Engages African Governments to Strengthen Online Safety at the 2nd Annual Sub-Saharan Africa Safer Internet Summit in Cape Town
TikTok ( hosted its second Annual Africa Safer Internet Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together government officials, regulators, and industry leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa. Delegates from South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, and other countries convened to discuss critical issues on online safety, content moderation, and digital policy development. The Summit underscores TikTok's ongoing efforts to prioritise user safety in Africa while fostering an open dialogue with policymakers to shape robust frameworks that protect users' rights while encouraging innovation and creativity in the digital space. Government and Industry Leaders Discuss Digital Safety The Summit was officially opened by South Africa's Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, who highlighted the importance of collaboration among governments, technology platforms, and communities to foster a safer digital ecosystem. Helena Lersch, TikTok's Vice President for Public Policy, in her remarks, reaffirmed the platform's commitment to user safety and the role of partnerships in creating a secure digital environment. 'Billions of people come to TikTok every day to create, share and connect and we're continually evolving our policies and practices to safeguard our platform so our community can discover and do what they love. This summit underscores the importance of collaboration between industry leaders and regulators in shaping a digital ecosystem that is both innovative and secure," said Lersch. Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Public Policy&Government Relations for Sub-Saharan Africa, further emphasised the significance of collective efforts in digital safety, stating that the Summit serves as a valuable platform for sharing insights, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring that African users, particularly young people, are protected online. Content Moderation in Africa During the summit, TikTok reported a significant upward trend in its content removal rate across Sub-Saharan Africa, with data showing a 249.81% increase in content removals from the second quarter of 2023 to the fourth quarter of 2024. This improvement aligns with TikTok's global standards for content moderation and community guidelines enforcement. TikTok's Community Guidelines Enforcement Reports ( reflect the platform's continued investment in automated moderation technology, alongside human safety experts that enables the detection and removal of harmful content before it reaches users. Globally, between July and September 2024, TikTok removed more than 147 million videos, of which 118 million were detected and removed automatically using these technologies. In Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok removed over 7.5 million videos in Q3 2024, rising to more than 8 million in Q4 2024 —an increase of 14.06% quarter-on-quarter. Notably, 99.5% of these videos were removed before any user reports, underscoring TikTok's commitment to proactive moderation and swift action. A similar trend was observed in North Africa, where TikTok removed over 7 million videos in both Q3 and Q4 of 2024. This represented an 8.70% increase in removals between the quarters, with 99.3% of these takedowns also occurring before user reports. These figures highlight TikTok's ongoing efforts to provide a safe and positive online environment through robust, technology-enabled content moderation systems. #SaferTogether - Driving Safer Digital Engagement As part of its broader commitment to digital safety and education, TikTok is expanding its efforts across Africa through strategic partnerships and training programs that promote digital literacy, safety awareness, and responsible content creation. At the forefront of these efforts is TikTok's flagship #SaferTogether campaign, which has achieved notable milestones since its launch in 2022. In Kenya, the initiative, run in partnership with Eveminet ( a youth online protection organisation, has reached over 406,000 participants through in-person workshops across the country. These sessions provided communities with the knowledge and tools needed for responsible online engagement, particularly among students, teachers, and parents. By working closely with civil society organisations, educators, and government agencies, TikTok continues to integrate proactive safety measures into its platform governance, creating safer digital environments for young users. In Nigeria, TikTok launched Phase 2 of the #SaferTogether campaign in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) ( and Data Science Nigeria (DSN) ( Building on the success of Phase 1, which educated parents in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Kano on TikTok's safety features and mental well-being tools, the second phase aims to reach additional states and expand safety awareness among parents, teachers, and guardians. Since September 2024, TikTok has also partnered with local creators across Sub-Saharan Africa to raise awareness about its safety features and Community Guidelines. In Egypt, TikTok signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Journalists Syndicate to boost digital awareness, media literacy, and the detection of misinformation and online privacy risks. As part of this partnership, TikTok and the Syndicate hosted a one-day workshop equipping journalists and media professionals with the skills to navigate digital technologies safely and effectively. This collaboration underscores TikTok's ongoing commitment to empowering media professionals and supporting a more informed and digitally literate society. Shaping the Future of Digital Safety in Africa - Global Youth Council TikTok is also making a significant step in amplifying youth voices by expanding its Global Youth Council ( for 2025, further strengthening African representation. Originally launched in 2023 to empower young users and shape platform policies, the Global Youth Council has now nearly doubled in size, featuring 28 members from 15 countries. New representatives from Nigeria, Cameroon, Canada, Qatar, and Australia will join returning members from Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, the UK, and the US for a second term. The Youth Council plays an important role in shaping TikTok's safety, well-being, and inclusivity policies, ensuring that young users have a voice in the platform's continued evolution. The Safer Internet Summit serves as an essential forum for best practice sharing between industry leaders and policymakers. By fostering collaboration, TikTok aims to ensure that digital spaces remain safe, inclusive, and conducive to creativity while balancing the need for effective governance and innovation. "We value forums such as TikTok's Safer Internet Summit, which bring policymakers into one room for a shared purpose: keeping internet users safe. We are incredibly proud to be a partner of TikTok's #SaferTogether campaign. This collaboration not only underscores our shared commitment to fostering a safer online environment, but also opens new avenues for innovation and collaboration that will enable us to scale our efforts effectively for a safer internet for all.." — Emmanuel Edet - Acting Director, Regulation and Compliance NITDA For more information on TikTok's safety policies and initiatives, visit our Safety Centre ( Guardian's Guide ( and Youth Safety Center ( Link: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TikTok.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TikTok Boosts Thailand Investment Plans to $8.8 Billion
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese-owned video platform TikTok pledged to spend $8.8 billion in data center hosting services in Thailand over the next five years, more than doubling an earlier investment target for the Southeast Asian nation. Cuts to Section 8 Housing Assistance Loom Amid HUD Uncertainty The Trump Administration Takes Aim at Transportation Research Shelters Await Billions in Federal Money for Homelessness Providers NYC's Congestion Pricing Pulls In $48.6 Million in First Month NYC Office Buildings See Resurgence as Investors Pile Into Bonds ByteDance Ltd.'s most valuable service is putting the infrastructure in place to support domestic users, including some 50 million on TikTok alone, Vice President of Public Policy Helena Lersch told Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok on Friday. She didn't elaborate on details of the planned investment. The pledge follows the government's signoff on TikTok's plan to invest $3.8 billion in the country of 70 million people. Thailand is among Southeast Asian nations drawing investment from global tech companies such as Microsoft Corp., Nvidia Corp. and Apple Inc., all seeking to tap the growth potential of the fast-digitizing region. TikTok's investment 'is a step towards more localized and efficient operations which will enable us to serve our users and customers in Thailand and Southeast Asia more effectively,' the company said in a statement. 'This development will also strengthen Thailand's digital competitiveness and its goal of becoming a leading tech hub in Southeast Asia.' With a thriving user base and more than three million merchants, Thailand is an important market for TikTok in Southeast Asia, the company said. The platform will continue to work with the Thai government and local partners as part of its long-term commitment to investing in the country, it said. The government welcomed TikTok's plan, which will help develop Thailand's artificial intelligence, content creation and human resource skills, Paetongtarn said on X. In 2024, investment pledges in Thailand surged 35% from a year earlier to 1.14 trillion baht ($33.3 billion), the highest since 2014. The government is targeting fresh proposals worth at least 1 trillion baht this year. (Updates with TikTok comments in fourth paragraph. An earlier version was corrected to show investment is for building data hosting services.) Trump's SALT Tax Promise Hinges on an Obscure Loophole Warner Bros. Movie Heads Are Burning Cash, and Their Boss Is Losing Patience Walmart Wants to Be Something for Everyone in a Divided America Rich People Are Firing a Cash Cannon at the US Economy—But at What Cost? China Learned to Embrace What the US Forgot: The Virtues of Creative Destruction ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
Al Arabiya
28-02-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
TikTok to invest $8.8 billion in Thailand over five years
TikTok plans to invest $8.8 billion in Thailand over the next five years, focusing on digital infrastructure, workforce development, and online safety initiatives, a senior executive said Friday after talks with the government. The social media platform owned by China's ByteDance is the latest in a string of big tech names to announce major spending projects in the kingdom, after Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Helena Lersch, TikTok's vice president of public policy, met Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok on Friday to discuss the expansion. 'We are here today to announce the $8.8 billion,' Lersch told the PM in public remarks at the start of their meeting. Paetongtarn hailed the investment in Thailand's digital infrastructure and AI development as a major opportunity for the country. The investment includes training programs for businesses and creators, anti-fraud campaigns, and a new data hosting service to enhance local cloud capabilities. It is not clear whether the cash includes a $3.8 billion investment from TikTok approved by Thailand's Board of Investment in late January. The Thai move comes as TikTok faces being banned in the United States over national security concerns about the data it gathers on users. The popular video-sharing app briefly went dark on January 18 and disappeared from app stores, to the dismay of millions of users. Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy, has lagged Singapore and Indonesia in the tech sector, and the government has made a concerted push to attract US giants as it seeks to make up lost ground. Governments across the region are vying for US tech dollars, with Vietnam making a major drive to move up the value chain from a hub for producing shoes, clothes, and furniture. 'The government is delighted that TikTok has chosen Thailand as a strategic investment partner for digital infrastructure, including a 300 billion baht ($8.8 billion) Data Hosting project,' Paetongtarn posted on X. 'All of this represents a crucial step toward positioning Thailand as a global hub for the digital industry.'
