TikTok’s rocky start under American ownership has been nothing short of a public relations nightmare, leaving many to wonder if the app can recover from its tumultuous first week. But here's where it gets controversial: Was it a series of unfortunate events, or a glimpse into deeper issues that could spell trouble for the platform’s future? Let’s dive in.
Just over a week ago, TikTok officially transitioned into American hands, marking a significant shift for the global sensation. However, the celebration was short-lived. The app’s new chapter began on January 22, when its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, finalized a deal to sell TikTok to a consortium of U.S. investors, including tech giant Oracle. Under Chinese ownership, TikTok had soared to over a billion users, overshadowing competitors like Instagram. Yet, its American debut has been anything but smooth.
And this is the part most people miss: The very next day, TikTok’s new owners updated its privacy policy, allowing for more extensive data collection, including precise user location tracking. While this aligns with other major social networks, it raised eyebrows—especially given the involvement of figures like Oracle’s billionaire owner, Larry Ellison, a known MAGA donor. What exactly did they plan to do with this data? Suspicion quickly turned to paranoia as users began to question the motives behind the changes.
As if the privacy concerns weren’t enough, TikTok’s first weekend under American ownership was marred by two major events. First, Winter Storm Fern knocked out multiple Oracle datacenters that TikTok relies on, causing widespread outages. Users reported being unable to upload videos or receiving zero views despite large followings. The company initially stayed silent, only later blaming the weather for the technical issues. But was that the full story?
Simultaneously, a tragic incident in Minneapolis—where federal immigration officers killed a 37-year-old U.S. citizen during a protest—sparked outrage. Prominent figures, including California state senator Scott Wiener, musician Billie Eilish, and comedian Meg Stalter, attempted to use TikTok to voice their anger. However, they claimed their videos were either blocked or received no views. This led to widespread accusations of censorship, with many alleging TikTok was stifling criticism of federal immigration agents. Stalter even threatened to delete her account, which had nearly 280,000 followers. Media outlets like The New York Times, Variety, and CNN amplified these claims, while Cosmopolitan bluntly asked, “Is TikTok Censoring Anti-ICE Content?”
Here’s where it gets even more contentious: Democratic senator Chris Murphy called TikTok’s alleged censorship a “threat to democracy,” and California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an investigation into whether the app had censored videos critical of Donald Trump. Meanwhile, a new competitor, Upscrolled, surged to the top of the app charts, promising less censorship and attracting over a million users in response to TikTok’s perceived failings. As of now, TikTok has slipped in the rankings, and apps offering VPN services—tools to cloak online activity—have seen a spike in downloads, reflecting growing fears of digital surveillance.
While TikTok’s billion-plus users suggest it’s unlikely to disappear anytime soon, its first week in the U.S. has severely damaged user trust. Facebook and Instagram have weathered worse scandals, but TikTok’s missteps feel particularly ill-timed. The app’s troubles began with Trump’s ban-or-sell ultimatum nearly six years ago, culminating in the recent ownership transfer. Yet, Trump’s role in TikTok’s woes doesn’t end there—his immigration policies set the stage for the Minneapolis tragedy, further complicating the app’s debut. The only thing Trump couldn’t control? The winter storm.
TikTok’s disastrous arrival echoes a similar incident from a year ago, when the app briefly stopped functioning in the U.S. due to the same sell-or-ban law. That issue was resolved within 24 hours, but this time, the damage may be more lasting. The question remains: Can TikTok recover, or is this the beginning of the end? What do you think? Is TikTok’s censorship real, or just a storm in a teacup? Let us know in the comments!
