TikTok Faces Investigation Amid User Complaints of Censorship and Glitches

TikTok is under scrutiny following a wave of user complaints regarding glitches and allegations of content censorship since its U.S. operations were restructured last week. The platform’s parent company, which has ties to former President Trump, has denied these allegations while acknowledging ongoing technical issues.

Why It Matters

The ongoing issues with TikTok raise significant concerns over the platform’s transparency and user experience. As social media becomes a crucial space for political discourse, any perceived manipulation—especially related to content critical of the government—could have broader implications for free speech and public trust.

Key Developments

• A large number of U.S. users reported problems with TikTok, including posts showing "zero views" and difficulty accessing certain political content.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an investigation into potential censorship related to critical content about the Trump administration.
• TikTok attributed the glitches to technical issues resulting from a power outage at a data center, but insisted there are no rules against using names like "Epstein" in messages.
• Reports surfaced of suppressed content critical of President Trump, prompting heightened scrutiny from users and officials alike.
• Downdetector recorded over 663,000 reports of issues from U.S. users between Saturday and Monday, indicating widespread user frustration.

Full Report

Technical Issues and User Complaints

In a recent response to complaints, TikTok reiterated that many of the problems users have encountered stem from ongoing technical challenges associated with the transition to a separate U.S. entity. A spokesperson stated, "We’ve made significant progress in recovering our U.S. infrastructure," but acknowledged that some technical issues persist.

The problems began just three days after TikTok concluded a deal to officially separate its U.S. operations. Users quickly began to report issues such as low visibility for new posts and restrictions on political content, particularly those critical of federal actions and figures.

Censorship Allegations

Amid these ongoing issues, Governor Newsom’s office issued a statement confirming reports of TikTok suppressing content critical of Trump, linking these occurrences to the company’s new ownership structure. According to Newsom’s office, there have been independently verified cases of suppression, prompting a review of TikTok’s compliance with state laws.

Concerns about censorship have spread across social media. Some users have reported being unable to send messages containing the name "Epstein," a matter that has drawn attention given the political context surrounding the name and its implications.

Reaction from Users and Celebrities

The backlash has sparked conversations among celebrities and influencers on social media. Actress Meg Stalter, for example, expressed her decision to delete her TikTok account over fears of censorship, voicing similar concerns shared by numerous U.S. users who feel their freedom of expression is being compromised.

Context & Previous Events

The current scrutiny follows the recent restructuring of TikTok’s U.S. operations, a significant move taken to address ongoing national security concerns linked to its ownership by a Chinese parent company. Following pressure from the Trump administration, Oracle was chosen as a technological partner to operate the U.S. version of the app, which allowed TikTok to continue its operations within the country.

As the platform navigates these challenges, the outcome of the investigation and the ongoing user experience will be essential in determining TikTok’s future relationship with its American audience.