"But now, TikTok is testing a new feature that will allow creators to use their paid virtual good, TikTok Coins, to boost their own content."

"we've witnessed companies claim they are doing more to protect the environment than they actually are. This act of misleading customers is called greenwashing."

"Creator washing is the act of exploiting creators by misleading them to believe your product or service prioritizes creators more than it actually does."

"Exploiting creators for their content - whether that be music, art, videos, writings, or live streams - has been a common theme throughout history."

"Last year, it was revealed that 98.6% of their creators average $12 per month in revenue. Spotify has provided hope to creative artists for over a decade, and only 43,000 of their 3 million artists have earned enough to live off their art."

"Once you dig deeper, you learn that brands can set their own commission rates for creators, enabling any brand to potentially exploit creators without regulation."

"While community members could help less successful creators promote their content by tipping them with TikTok Coins, this feature will most likely result in a disruption of TikTok's creator middle class if not carefully designed and regulated."

"For example, YouTube has taken a page from the Twitch playbook and introduced community-driven monetization tools like paid memberships, tips via Super Chat and Super Stickers, and ongoing support from creator partnerships."