The landscape of social media in the United States is undergoing a dramatic shift as a wave of users abandon TikTok in response to a controversial change in ownership. Data reveals that the number of American users uninstalling the popular video-sharing app has skyrocketed by nearly 150 per cent. This mass exodus follows the acquisition of TikTok's US operations by an investment group with strong allegiances to former President Donald Trump.
Mounting Censorship Concerns Prompt User Backlash
Users have reported growing unease over potential censorship on the platform. Numerous accounts detail instances where videos expressing criticism of Donald Trump or the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency appeared to receive virtually no views, suggesting they were being suppressed. Furthermore, attempts to send messages containing the word 'Epstein' were reportedly blocked entirely, raising significant red flags about content moderation practices.
Official Investigations and Technical Explanations
In response to these allegations, California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a formal state probe. The investigation will examine whether TikTok's actions constitute unlawful censorship under California law. The company has acknowledged the reported incidents but has firmly attributed them to widespread technical glitches. TikTok officials stated that a major power outage at a key US data centre caused these irregularities and explicitly denied having any internal rules against sharing the name Jeffrey Epstein.
Privacy Policy Shifts and the Rise of Alternatives
Compounding user anxiety are concerns surrounding TikTok's new ownership structure and its recently updated privacy policy. Many fear that data handling practices may change under the Trump-aligned group's stewardship. This potent mix of censorship worries and privacy doubts has catalysed a significant migration to competing platforms. Rival apps such as Skylight and UpScrolled are experiencing a notable boom in download rates as former TikTok users seek new digital homes they perceive as more secure and less politically influenced.
The situation underscores a critical moment for social media governance, user trust, and market competition. As official investigations proceed and technical claims are scrutinised, the long-term impact on TikTok's US dominance and the fortunes of its emerging rivals remains to be seen.
