TikTok has taken down a viral AI-powered “chubby filter” after facing intense backlash from users and health experts, who raised concerns about its potential to promote body shaming and trigger eating disorders. The filter, which made users appear overweight in their photos, was originally developed by CapCut, a video editing app owned by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
Although the filter was technically separate from TikTok, it was widely shared on the platform, leading to widespread outrage. Initially shared for comedic effect, many users posted before-and-after videos using the filter with captions such as “This is my motivation to go to the gym.” However, the feature quickly came under fire for promoting harmful body image standards.
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Dr. Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, criticized the filter, calling it “a huge step backward” in an interview with the BBC. “It fuels toxic diet culture and reinforces harmful stereotypes about people in larger bodies,” she said, echoing the concerns of many health professionals and activists.
The filter’s popularity on TikTok’s “For You” page, often paired with videos showing extreme physical transformations, was seen as normalizing body shaming. Critics warned that this could severely impact younger users’ self-esteem and body image.
Prominent TikTok influencer Sadie, with over 60,000 followers, was among those calling for its removal. She emphasized the damaging effects, stating, “Social media should be fun, not a space for bullying.” She noted that several women had messaged her saying the trend made them delete TikTok altogether.
In response, TikTok confirmed that videos using the filter would no longer be recommended, would be blocked for teen accounts, and could be removed if they violated community guidelines. A company spokesperson reaffirmed TikTok’s commitment to safety and inclusivity.
The Habitat, a UK-based digital safety advocacy group, praised the decision but urged platforms to act more proactively. “By the time a harmful filter goes viral, the damage is often already done,” said a spokesperson.
This incident is part of a broader debate over the ethical use of AI in media, particularly as image-altering tools grow more powerful. It follows earlier criticism TikTok faced in 2021 over filters that slimmed users’ faces and reshaped their features. CapCut has yet to comment on the filter’s removal.
