Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Tiktok Users Claim Increased Restrictions On Speech After US Revival Under Trump Order


(MENAFN- Live Mint) TikTok users in the United States are raising concerns over signs of increased censorship on the platform, following its recent revival under an executive order from former President Donald Trump. Once hailed as a haven for free speech, the app-owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance-appears to be undergoing significant changes, with some users reporting heightened content moderation and restrictions on certain types of content.

The changes come after TikTo briefly went dark in response to a new law introduced during President Joe Biden's administration, requiring the platform to be sold to a U.S.-based buyer due to national security concerns. The law, which enjoys bipartisan support, is seen as a reaction to the app's Chinese ownership, with fears that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government.

Despite TikTok's assurances that its policies and algorithms had not changed, users have reported a stark difference in their experiences since the platform resumed operations. Many claim to have noticed a decline in the number of livestreams, with some activities being flagged or removed for violating community guidelines, including content that had previously been permitted.

"We are working hard to restore our U.S. operations back to normal and expect some temporary instability as we restore our services, which could impact TikTok features or users' access to the app," said TikTok in a statement to Reuters. However, users have voiced frustration over what they describe as increased censorship, particularly regarding political content and controversial figures.

Also Read | TikTok Ban Highlights: TikTok restores service in US, thanks Trump for access

Some have claimed that comments supporting political causes like "Free Palestine" were being removed, while others noted that content related to sensitive political events, such as the inauguration of billionaire Elon Musk, was tagged as misinformation. Pat Loller, a content creator and comedian, said his satirical video about Musk was flagged for spreading misinformation and had its reach severely limited. "I've never seen this before," Loller remarked, highlighting the sudden change in TikTok's approach to moderation.

MENAFN25012025007365015876ID1109128617


Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.