Some US TikTok users say app feels different after ban lifted

TikTok users in the United States, who once saw the app as a hub for free speech, are raising concerns about increased content moderation after the platform’s recent revival.

The app, owned by China’s ByteDance, had briefly gone dark due to a new law requiring its sale to a U.S. buyer, enacted amid bipartisan security concerns during the Biden administration.

The app’s return comes with visible changes. Users report stricter enforcement of community guidelines, limited search results, and flagged content that was previously permitted.

"Our policies and algorithms did not change over the weekend," TikTok said in a statement to Reuters.

"We are working hard to restore our U.S. operations to normal and expect some temporary instability as we restore our services, which could impact TikTok features or users' access to the app."

Some claim their posts or comments have been removed without clear justification, sparking fears of censorship.

Political controversy

Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week promising to “restore freedom of speech” and curb censorship on social media platforms, including TikTok.

U.S. President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2025. Reuters

The move coincides with his expressed openness to Elon Musk, a close ally, purchasing TikTok. Musk, who has taken on advisory roles in Trump’s government efficiency initiatives, has not commented on the matter.

Among the affected users is comedian and veteran Pat Loller, 36, who said TikTok flagged his satirical video about Elon Musk for misinformation, restricting its distribution.

“I’ve never seen this before,” Loller remarked, noting the video was limited to sharing in one chat at a time despite amassing over a million views.

TikTok said it does not allow content that promotes violent or hateful individuals on the platform.

Similarly, TikTok user Lisa Cline expressed frustration on Meta’s Threads platform after struggling to post a video criticizing Trump.

“It wouldn’t let me because of censorship,” she wrote, referencing her attempts to critique the former president’s response to calls for mercy from a Washington Episcopal bishop.

Suspended accounts

Some high-profile creators say their accounts have been suspended entirely. Danisha Carter, a political commentator with 2 million followers, was permanently banned shortly after TikTok’s return.

She was told it was due to “multiple policy violations” but claims her final livestream, which criticized tech billionaires’ influence in U.S. politics, may have been the real trigger.

“I feel politically targeted,” said Carter, who noted that TikTok provided no detailed explanation for the suspension.

Other users have faced issues unrelated to politics. Ada "Mila" Ortiz, a data analyst and content creator, said she was flagged for innocuous comments and warned that further violations could result in restricted access.

Ortiz, who had posted pro-Vice President Kamala Harris content in the past, has since deleted 15 videos out of caution.

“It feels sudden and targeted,” Ortiz said, suggesting TikTok is tightening its grip on certain types of users or topics.

Platform's response

TikTok has acknowledged that some features may be unstable during the transition. “While we’re restoring our services in the U.S., some TikTok features may be temporarily unstable or unavailable,” the platform told users in an in-app message.

A view shows the office of TikTok after the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would give TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance about six months to divest the U.S. assets of the short-video app or face a ban, in Culver City, California, March 13, 2024. Reuters

TikTok did not respond to requests for further comment. As TikTok’s future ownership remains uncertain, content creators are grappling with stricter moderation and what they perceive as inconsistent enforcement of guidelines.

For many, the platform’s once-vibrant space for free expression now feels constrained, raising questions about the balance between security and free speech in the digital age.