American TikTok users are abandoning the popular social media platform in significant numbers following a controversial ownership change that has placed control in the hands of investors closely aligned with former President Donald Trump. Market intelligence data reveals a dramatic spike in app deletions, intensifying debates about digital free speech and user privacy under the new regime.
Surge in Deletions Following Ownership Shift
Figures from the market intelligence firm Sensor Tower indicate that the number of US users uninstalling TikTok has increased by nearly 150 percent since the ownership transition occurred last week. This substantial rise follows a deal that transferred the American operations of TikTok from its Chinese parent company ByteDance to a consortium of investors. The group includes technology giant Oracle, which is led by Larry Ellison, a known ally and supporter of Donald Trump.
Allegations of Content Suppression Emerge
Concerns about potential censorship have been mounting among the TikTok community. Users have reported that videos critical of Trump and his administration's policies, including recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Minneapolis, appeared to receive no views this week. Additionally, certain keywords, such as 'Epstein', were reportedly blocked within the app's messaging system.
In response to these allegations, California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced his intention to launch an official investigation. The probe will examine whether TikTok's actions constitute content censorship in violation of California state law since the takeover.
TikTok's Response to Technical Issues
TikTok has acknowledged the reported incidents but attributes them to widespread technical difficulties rather than deliberate policy changes. A company spokesperson stated that the app does not have specific rules prohibiting the sharing of the name Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender who was once associated with Trump.
The platform explained that it is addressing a significant infrastructure problem triggered by a power outage at one of its US data centre partner sites. A formal statement noted, "We're continuing to resolve a major infrastructure issue... The US user experience may still have some technical issues, including when posting new content."
Privacy Policy Revisions Fuel Further Anxiety
Beyond censorship worries, some users have expressed alarm over revisions to TikTok's privacy policy. The updated terms request information regarding a user's "sexual life or sexual orientation, status as transgender or nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status." Critics fear this sensitive data could potentially be exploited by the Trump administration.
However, an archived version of the policy indicates that similar language was present under ByteDance's ownership, suggesting the requests may not be entirely new. Despite this, the timing of the policy update amidst the ownership change has exacerbated user distrust.
Competitors Benefit from User Migration
The growing apprehension surrounding TikTok's new ownership has created an opportunity for rival platforms. Apps such as Skylight and UpScrolled have both witnessed a notable increase in user downloads in recent days, as discontented TikTok users seek alternative social media spaces.
This migration underscores the fragile nature of user loyalty in the tech sector, where perceptions of political bias and data handling can rapidly alter market dynamics.
