US TikTok Algorithm Shift Sparks Censorship Fears Amid User Reports
Over recent days, numerous TikTok users across the United States have reported a series of suspicious malfunctions and technical glitches on the popular social media platform. These incidents have emerged concurrently with a significant structural change: the launch of a new US-specific algorithm under the control of the TikTok US Data Security (USDS) joint venture. This development has ignited intense debate about the potential for new forms of digital censorship in the algorithmic age.
The New Algorithmic Landscape and Political Concerns
The operational control of TikTok's US platform has now shifted to the TikTok USDS joint venture, led by a consortium of investors that includes major US technology firms such as Oracle. The Chinese parent company ByteDance retains a minority stake of 19.9%. This arrangement was designed to comply with US legislation introduced during the Biden administration, ostensibly to protect user data and prevent potential political interference from China.
However, many of TikTok's approximately 200 million US-based users now express genuine concern that former President Donald Trump and his political allies might utilise this algorithmic control to achieve precisely what China was previously accused of: interfering with political discourse by suppressing voices critical of Trump and his international supporters. The platform has become a crucial conduit for political propaganda in recent years, with Trump himself crediting it for assisting his surprising 2024 election victory.
User Reports and Suspicious Activity
Specific user reports from recent days include:
- Videos covering controversial topics, such as the killing of Alex Pretti by a federal agent, remaining under prolonged review without publication.
- Newly posted videos recording unexpectedly low view counts and engagement metrics, suggesting potential suppression in the feed algorithm.
- Allegations that users find it impossible to post messages containing certain keywords, including "Epstein."
In response to these mounting denunciations, California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for a formal review of the TikTok algorithm to determine whether it complies with state regulations. Furthermore, data from app stores indicates a noticeable trend of users cancelling their TikTok subscriptions and downloading alternative platforms.
Corporate Response and Technical Explanations
TikTok USDS has acknowledged experiencing some disruptions but has vehemently denied that these instances are politically motivated. The company attributes the issues to a power outage at an Oracle datacentre, which allegedly caused cascading systems failures. Nevertheless, comprehensive assessment of these changes will require time, particularly given that the algorithm is proprietary. Insights into its functioning can only be obtained through forms of "reverse engineering," such as observational comparisons of which content types perform better or worse under the new system.
Political Connections and Algorithmic Influence
The political connections of key investors raise additional concerns. Oracle's CEO, Larry Ellison, is known for his staunch support for Donald Trump. With presidential blessing, Ellison has recently merged Skydance Media with Paramount and established controls over CBS News, potentially extending that influence to other major networks like Warner Bros and CNN in the near future.
Adam Presser, the CEO of the new TikTok joint venture, has publicly stated that references to Zionism should be considered hate speech. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed clear delight at the new arrangement, reflecting concerns that videos shared on TikTok have made Western youth more aware of Palestinian suffering.
The Mechanics of Algorithmic Censorship
There are multiple ways the new algorithm could influence content visibility and shape the platform's overall "political climate." Changes may occur in content moderation, effectively restricting certain accounts and materials. For instance, award-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda reported being permanently banned from the app earlier this week.
However, the most consequential changes will likely involve how algorithms serve content to users. The new algorithm will be retrained exclusively on US data rather than global datasets. This creates opportunities to introduce biases that could reinforce conservative viewpoints while sidelining minority perspectives, simultaneously isolating US debates from global conversations.
As scholars Kai Riemer and Sandra Peter have highlighted, the manner in which algorithms "interfere with free speech on the audience side" necessitates a fundamental reconsideration of public debate in the algorithmic era. The crucial question is no longer simply what we can or cannot say, but whether what we say can achieve any meaningful visibility at all against the political climate imposed by those controlling platform algorithms.
The Broader Implications for Digital Free Speech
While right-wing billionaires often proclaim themselves champions of free speech, the reality—as demonstrated by Larry Ellison's diversified media portfolio—is that they have established a pervasive grip over both traditional and online media. This effectively curtails public freedom of speech in ways that are often invisible and therefore particularly insidious.
Unless society reclaims control over both traditional media and social media platforms, we risk descending into a landscape dominated by a handful of information sources and pervasive algorithmic throttling. This could occur without the public fully realising they are experiencing censorship in a new, technologically sophisticated guise. The current situation with TikTok's US algorithm serves as a stark warning about these emerging digital realities.
