TikTok has removed the AI-powered “chubby filter” after users criticized it for promoting body shaming. The filter made people look much heavier, leading many to call it “toxic” and harmful. Experts also warned that such filters could encourage unhealthy dieting habits.
Many TikTok users posted before-and-after images, showing how the filter changed their appearance. Some said it should not be allowed on the platform. “It’s really just a fat filter that makes you chubby from head to toe,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
How Did the ‘Chubby Filter’ Work?
TikTok filters are usually used for fun or to enhance looks by reducing wrinkles and acne. But the “chubby filter” created a trend where people compared their real appearance with an AI-generated heavier version.
Why Users Called It Harmful
People who used the filter before it was removed told the BBC that it was damaging and could lead to body image issues. One user, Emma, said, “My first thought was how harmful this could be.” Another influencer, Sadie, with over 66,000 TikTok followers, said, “Social media should be fun, not a place where people get bullied for their looks.”
TikTok’s Response
TikTok said that the filter was created by CapCut, a separate app owned by ByteDance, the same parent company as TikTok. The company has now removed the filter, blocked it from teen accounts, and is reviewing videos that used it.
Source: livemint
