The handover of TikTok's operations to a US-based joint venture has raised concerns about a new form of censorship, where algorithmic control determines content visibility rather than outright suppression. Under the deal, Oracle and other investors now oversee TikTok USDS, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake, in compliance with US legislation aimed at preventing Chinese interference. However, critics fear the algorithm could be used to suppress dissenting voices, mirroring the very practices the law sought to avoid.
Users have reported suspicious issues, including videos on controversial topics being held under review, low view counts on new posts, and difficulties using keywords like “Epstein”. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an investigation into whether the algorithm complies with state law. TikTok USDS attributes the disruptions to a power outage at an Oracle datacentre, denying political motivation.
The platform has become a key tool for political propaganda, with Donald Trump crediting it for his 2024 election victory. Many investors, including Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, have close ties to Trump. The new CEO, Adam Presser, has stated that references to Zionism should be treated as hate speech, raising concerns about bias. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has welcomed the arrangement, amid worries that TikTok has made western youth more sympathetic to Palestinian suffering.
Changes may include stricter content moderation and retraining the algorithm on US-only data, potentially reinforcing conservative views and cutting off global perspectives. The exact impact remains unclear due to the proprietary nature of the algorithm, but users have reason to be wary of how visibility is now governed.
