Trump-Backed US TikTok Struggles with Rocky Launch
TikTok’s new American venture, backed by President Donald Trump, is facing significant challenges in its initial launch phase. The platform has encountered multiple technical issues, leading to user frustration and skepticism surrounding potential political biases.
Technical Issues Plague TikTok’s Launch
Since the launch, TikTok has struggled with service interruptions. The disruptions were attributed to a power outage at an Oracle data center, a key investor in the U.S. operation. While TikTok has made strides to restore functionality, users continue to experience problems, particularly when posting new content.
Responses from Officials and Users
Oracle confirmed the outage was weather-related, causing cascading technical failures for TikTok. Despite this explanation, Democratic politicians have raised concerns regarding possible content suppression, especially content critical of Trump. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an investigation into whether TikTok’s actions violate state law, stating his office received confirmed reports of censored content.
- Gavin Newsom is reviewing TikTok for potential violations of California law.
- Other politicians are similarly investigating the implications of the new ownership structure.
The deal resulted in an American consortium controlling TikTok’s U.S. user data and most operational aspects. The consortium, which includes significant investors like Oracle, holds approximately 80% of the entity, with the remainder owned by Beijing-based ByteDance.
Concerns Over Political Manipulation
Critics fear that the new ownership may lead to a shift in TikTok’s content moderation practices, particularly in favor of Trump and the Republican party. There are indications that some popular videos, including those critical of Trump’s policies, faced unusual review delays or received minimal views. This incident has drawn additional scrutiny from public figures.
High-Profile Responses
Celebrities and users alike have voiced their frustrations over the perceived interference. Popular figures such as Billie Eilish reported issues with their content, raising alarms about potential censorship. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy echoed these sentiments, calling it a critical threat to democracy.
TikTok’s Assurance and Ongoing Investigations
TikTok has publicly committed to resolving these issues and restoring full service. They reassured users about ongoing investigations into specific content-related problems, including restrictions on terms like “Epstein” in direct messages.
- TikTok is working to restore its platform to full functionality.
- The company is investigating user-reported content issues related to specific keywords.
This controversy offers a striking contrast to past claims of conservative deplatforming. The narrative continues to evolve, reflecting the complex relationship between technology and political influence in today’s digital landscape.
