TikTok’s Temporary Departure
A social media app used by 170 million Americans, people utilize TikTok to promote small businesses, music, and art. Others appreciated watching countless videos on the app for hours to pass the time. Set to be banned on January 19, 2025, TikTok unexpectedly went dark earlier than expected the night before at 8 PM. It left users devastated by its early departure. Many moved to Instagram and Twitter to share their frustration about losing access to the app.
Fourteen hours later though, TikTok restored access to the app. People with the app still on their phones were happy to see it return. Though, if they removed it from their phones, it no longer appeared on the app store. However, on Thursday, February 13, Apple and Google restored the app to their app stores.
According to USA Today, “The long-term future of TikTok in the U.S. is still unclear. ByteDance still has 50 days as of Friday to make a deal to sell off its U.S. assets, though even a successful agreement may not result in a return of the TikTok as Americans know it. Some things, like the algorithm and terms of service, may be different.”
Things already appear different as people noticed a change in the content shown on the app upon its return.
Censorship
Since its return, users reported issues of censorship on the app. TikTok started flagging any mentions of LGBTQIA+ issues, ‘Free Palestine,’ or banned books for violating community guidelines. College of Southern Nevada student, Ashley Cortez, shared her thoughts on the TikTok censorship.
“I heard about President Trump’s involvement and it just angered me because people genuinely praise him for saving the app but he’s actively stripping us from our constitutional rights,” she explained. “I used to get drag queen content on my TikTok page because I enjoy it and actively watch shows of them but as of lately, I haven’t seen anything pop up on my ‘For You Page’. Certain words or phrases that go against Trump’s agenda are censored. If you try looking up ‘banned books’, it starts recommending any other word that sounds like banned books.”
Reuter’s contributor Doyinsola Oladipo recently wrote an article, “Am I Being Censored? Some US TikTok Users Say App Feels Different After Ban Lifted.” In it, she explains that “…some users said they now see more content moderation, like limited search results, as well as warnings about misinformation and prompts for users to check their sources. Some claimed TikTok was striking comments that used phrases like “Support for Palestine” and “Free Luigi,” a reference to Luigi Mangione, who’s accused of killing a UnitedHealth executive, which had been previously allowed. TikTok said it does not allow content that promotes violent or hateful individuals on the platform” (Oladipo).
Speculation of Propaganda
TikTok users speculate that the early ban was propaganda or a PR stunt to get them on President Donald Trump’s good side. He initially brought up the idea of the TikTok ban in 2020 during his first presidency. Users received the following notification when they opened the app on January 19th.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
Once the ban ended, another message popped up when TikTok restored access to the app. “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
People read this as TikTok siding with Trump.
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Freedom of Speech on TikTok – A Short Timeline
TikTok has been a well-used social media platform for the past six years. Most social media platforms encourage freedom of speech and creativity and TikTok was no exception, especially with topics related to the genocide. While sites like Meta reportedly censored pro-Palsetine and other political content, people on TikTok followed independent journalists in Gaza reporting on what was happening on the ground.
It wasn’t until the genocide began, and support for Palestinians trended high on the app that Democrats in the government, who initially pushed back against Trump’s initial desire to ban TikTok, changed their tune and pushed their own bill to ban the app. Leaked audio of ADL chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt surfaced in November 2023 where he stated “…we really have a major TikTok problem. A Gen-Z problem…”
On March 13, 2024, the House passed a bill to ban TikTok. Many pointed out that the representatives who pushed and voted on the bill received money from AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee). Open Secrets reported that in 2024 alone, AIPAC donated almost $35 million across party lines, and listed all of the recipients of AIPAC donations. The Jerusalem Post reported that AIPAC helped at least 318 candidates win their races in the 2024 election. AIPAC itself reported that 98% of their endorsed candidates won their election last year.
This has caused a lot of speculation about foreign interference in our domestic elections by Israel, as well as interference in our legislation given the timeline of the most recent TikTok ban, its return, and the sudden changes to free speech and discussion around the genocide.
Dissuasions of Free Speech
Feeling silenced, TikTok users suspect a politically motivated approach to the app’s return. Las Vegas resident, Jacquelyn Martinez, weighed in on her experience with TikTok’s return and the changes she witnessed.
“I think TikTok has been bought out by Trump’s administration or a person who supports his ideologies. It no longer allows you to talk about much. You get censored for many things and even in messages, you can’t say much,” she reported. “I texted my friend about a video that mentioned the genocide of Gaza and TikTok gave me a message saying it included inappropriate language.”
It seems that TikTok is pushing any mentions of political stances out of the app, appearing to dissuade users from discussing these topics. However, TikTok users have not stopped using their First Amendment rights and are keeping their heads up on this current issue of censorship.
TikTok Users Retaliate
Retaliating against the ban, many users switched to RedNote in protest the week before the TikTok ban. RedNote, a Chinese-based app, also allows users to share videos on it. It immediately sparked controversy because of security concerns and the terms and conditions being in Mandarin. However, users noted the ability to translate these into English, and RedNote also published an English translation page of the ToS on February 8. People on Reddit highlighted some questionable parts of the ToS and data tracking, while others said it’s mostly comparable to most social media ToS agreements and data tracking.
Despite the concerns, many TikTok “refugees” jumped ship to RedNote, and some remained there after the ban ended. People reported that Chinese users helped new US users learn Mandarin while US users taught them English, and even helped with their English homework. A lot of social commentary also occurred, as Chinese citizens asked Americans about the state of things here at home, like if it’s true we pay for ambulance rides.
Per a CNN report, “Ivy Yang, a China tech analyst and founder of consulting firm Wavelet Strategy, said the new American users had “unexpectedly created one of the most organic forms of cultural exchange between the US and China we’ve seen in recent years.”
“Users are finding creative ways to transcend language barriers, navigate cultural differences, and co-exist in fascinating ways,” she added. “This community building happening in real time could have lasting impact, and I’m cautiously optimistic.”
TikTok refugees also switched to Lemon8, a lifestyle community app also owned by ByteDance. However, it’s unknown whether the United States government will target RedNote and Lemon8 in legal proceedings for the same reasons they went after TikTok. Whatever happens, American social media users clearly won’t stand for infringement on free speech.
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