California Probes US TikTok Over Claims It Censors Anti-Trump Content
The Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has initiated an investigation into allegations that TikTok has suppressed content critical of the Trump administration. This announcement comes on the heels of a deal last Thursday to separate TikTok’s US operations, leading many American users to report issues with the app just three days later.
Reports of Censorship and Technical Issues
– User Reports: Thousands of American users began experiencing problems, including new posts showing zero views. Many also reported difficulty accessing political content, such as posts criticizing the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis over the weekend.
– TikTok’s Response: TikTok has not directly addressed the allegations of censorship. Instead, the platform attributed the user issues to a major infrastructure issue resulting from a data center power outage.
– Governor’s Announcement: Newsom’s office stated it received verified reports of TikTok suppressing content critical of President Trump. On X, the governor’s office communicated, “Following TikTok’s sale to a Trump-aligned business group, our office has received reports — and independently confirmed instances — of suppressed content critical of President Trump.” This has prompted Newsom to launch a review to determine if the company has violated California laws.
Content Restrictions and Celebrity Concerns
– Censorship Allegations: Newsom declared it was time to investigate TikTok over these censorship concerns. He shared a post containing a screenshot of a user attempting to send a message that triggered a flag from TikTok, raising eyebrows about content monitoring, especially regarding sensitive topics.
– Celebrity Reactions: Influencers and celebrities are also voicing similar concerns. Meg Stalter, an actress known for her role in Hacks, announced on Instagram her decision to delete her TikTok account, citing complete censorship and monitoring under the app’s new ownership.
– User Backlash: Users are chiming in across social media, questioning whether TikTok has become cooked. Comments like RIP TikTok 2016-2026 reflect a growing sentiment that the platform may be compromised after the recent ownership changes.
Technical Difficulties Amidst Ownership Change
– Reported Issues: Since the outage began on Sunday, Downdetector recorded 663,061 reports of TikTok issues from US users. Many expressed frustration about slow loading times, outdated content in their feeds, and visibility problems with newly uploaded videos.
– TikTok’s Assurance: The company stated that users might encounter multiple bugs, slower load times, or timed-out requests due to the recent data center outage. They reassured users that their data and content engagement were safe.
What Does the New US TikTok Deal Mean for Users?
As part of the arrangement, Oracle will oversee a distinct version of TikTok’s algorithm for American users, with a 15% stake in TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. While this is intended to grant better control, users remain wary about potential impacts on content accessibility and relevance.
In conclusion, as California investigates TikTok over claims of censoring anti-Trump content, user frustrations mount amid reports of technical glitches. The evolving landscape of ownership and its implications for free expression on the platform raise significant questions about the future of social media in the United States.