Hold Christiaan van der Merwe Accountable: Stop Rewarding Online Harassment and Abuse
We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the nomination of Christiaan van der Merwe as a TikTok Smaakmaker 2025 due to a concerning and consistent pattern of abusive, intimidating, and defamatory behavior towards members of the TikTok community.
For months, Christiaan has allegedly used his platform to humiliate, harass, and emotionally manipulate other creators. His conduct has included public threats, victimization, intimidation, and defamation, often directed at individuals who are survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) or have received GBV-related settlements. Such behavior has had a profound emotional impact on victims and the broader online community, contributing to a toxic culture of fear, silence, and retraumatization.
His ongoing online abuse contradicts the principles of respect, inclusivity, and safety that TikTok claims to uphold. Recognizing him as a Smaakmaker—a position meant to represent creativity, positivity, and leadership—would not only undermine TikTok’s credibility but also send a dangerous message that harassment and intimidation are acceptable paths to success and influence
We therefore call for:
A full and transparent investigation by TikTok into Christiaan van der Merwe’s online conduct, including review of reports, content, and community complaints.
Immediate withdrawal of his nomination as TikTok Smaakmaker 2025.
Media coverage and public inquiry into the matter to ensure that patterns of online abuse are not silenced or ignored due to influence or popularity.
A formal review by the appropriate legal and judicial bodies to determine whether Christiaan’s actions constitute harassment, defamation, intimidation, or violations of existing protection orders or GBV-related laws.
Stronger enforcement by TikTok to protect creators and survivors from online abuse, ensuring that accountability and mental health are prioritized above platform metrics or influencer status.
The nomination of Christiaan van der Merwe as a Smaakmaker should be the least of TikTok’s priorities. The platform and relevant authorities must instead focus on addressing the harm he has caused and preventing further emotional and psychological damage to others.
We stand with the victims, the TikTok community, and the public who deserve to feel safe, respected, and protected—both online and offline.
Lindie-Lou Contact the author of the petition