US TikTokers question censorship after noticing changes post-ban

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New York: US TechTok users have felt signs of censorship on the video-sharing platform, which is owned by China’s Bitcoin and has been revived by an executive order from President Donald Trump.

TechTalk users are feeling the difference in the short video app after it was reinstated after going dark under a new law on Saturday. Trump has vowed to find a solution to the ban, which involves multiple bidders, including those with close ties to the new Republican president.

Users say they’re seeing fewer live streams, and some activity is being removed or flagged at higher rates for violating community guidelines, including for behavior that previously It was allowed.

“Our policies and algorithms did not change over the weekend,” TikTok said in a statement to Reuters. “We are working hard to restore our US operations to normal and expect some temporary instability as we restore our services, which may affect TikTok features or users’ access to the app. “

But some users said they now see more content moderation, such as limited search results, as well as warnings about false information and prompting users to check their sources.

Some claimed that Tikook was surprisingly critical of the comments, which used phrases such as “Free Palestine” and “Free Leogie”, a reference to Luigi Mungoen. , who is accused of killing a United Health executive, was previously authorized.

TikTok said it does not allow content that promotes violence or hate speech on the platform.

On Monday, Trump signed an executive order that he said would restore freedom of speech and end censorship, specifically referring to social media platforms.

Content creator, comedian and veteran Pete Lawler, 36, said he made the satirical video in response to billionaire Elon Musk’s hand gesture at the inauguration that appeared to some to be a Nazi salute. . Lawler was then limited in how widely he could share the video, which garnered more than a million views.

“I’ve never seen one before, and it’s still there. It says ‘sharing is limited to one chat at a time,'” Lawler said.

Trump said Tuesday he was open to Musk, a close ally of the president, helping oversee his new government efficiency initiative if he wanted to do so.

TikTok user Lisa Kline said on Meta threads that she was having trouble posting videos to TikTok that were critical of Trump.

“I tried to post this six times to TikTok and it won’t let me because of censorship, here’s hoping it works here,” Kline said. In the video, at an opening prayer service at Washington’s National Cathedral, he was asked to have mercy on those who are “terrified,” after which he referenced Trump’s response to Episcopal Bishop Marian Edgar Bude.

Denisha Carter, 27, said her account, which has two million followers, was posted shortly after dark on TikTok on Saturday. The latter were permanently suspended. He was told it was due to “multiple policy violations” when he tried to log in after the ban was lifted.

“It’s very politically targeted,” said Carter, a political and social commentator, who said Tektok would not elaborate on his decision, which he said was final. called out wealthy tech executives for the US presidential campaign and their influence on American business.

Others say they are being flagged for politically motivated comments, raising concerns that users are being targeted based on other criteria, including identity or previous content.

Data analyst and content creator Ada “Mila” Ortiz said she received strikes after leaving innocent comments on other videos, with warnings that another violation could prevent her from accessing certain features. will

“It was just so sudden and random I thought they were trying to get me out of here,” he said. Ortiz has since deleted about 15 videos that were pro-President Kamala Harris and anti-Trump on Vice.