TikTok Upload Glitches Spark Censorship Concerns Amidst Ownership Shift
Comedian and Users Report Upload Difficulties
Comedian Megan Stalter and other users reported difficulties uploading videos to TikTok that addressed federal immigration agent actions in Minneapolis. Stalter specifically stated she deleted her TikTok account after multiple failed attempts to upload content related to ICE. These reports drew attention from Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, who commented on the purported censorship concerns.
Stalter stated she deleted her TikTok account after multiple failed attempts to upload content related to ICE.
TikTok Blames Power Outage Amidst New Ownership
TikTok issued a statement attributing the upload glitches to a power outage at a US data center, claiming the issues were ongoing and unrelated to recent news. This explanation comes shortly after a significant change in the platform's ownership structure.
Last week, a US-majority-owned joint venture, involving tech company Oracle, assumed control of TikTok's US assets under a 2024 law. Oracle's executive chair, Larry Ellison, has known affiliations with President Donald Trump. The new joint venture is now responsible for trust and safety policies and content moderation for the platform.
Experts Weigh In on User Skepticism and Platform Rights
Casey Fiesler, an associate professor of technology ethics and internet law, stated that user skepticism towards platforms is understandable. She highlighted this concern, particularly given the new ownership's connection to the Trump administration and current events involving ICE. Fiesler also noted that misinformation about new terms of service spread after the ownership change, and users have concerns about data access and content recommendation.
"User skepticism towards platforms is understandable, particularly given the new ownership's connection to the Trump administration and current events involving ICE." — Casey Fiesler
Jeffrey Blevins, a professor studying media law and ethics, pointed out the inherent difficulty of proving intentional censorship due to TikTok's opaque algorithm. He also stated that as a private platform, TikTok legally retains the right to moderate content.
Users Seek Alternatives and Adapt Strategies
In response to the perceived issues, some users, like Stalter, have deleted their accounts. SensorTower reported a significant increase, nearly 150%, in daily TikTok uninstalls over five days compared to the previous three months. Other users, such as Jen Hamilton, have explored alternative platforms or devised creative methods to discuss sensitive topics on TikTok, often resorting to the use of coded language.