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Content Vanishing, Livestreams Missing U.S. TikTok Users Report Strange Changes Post-App Revival

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Content Vanishing, Livestreams Missing: U.S. TikTok Users Report Strange Changes Post-App Revival

U.S. TikTok users have reported significant changes in the app’s content moderation and feature availability following its revival after a temporary shutdown. 

The short-video app, owned by Chinese ByteDance, faced scrutiny from creators who cited increased restrictions and content removals despite company statements maintaining consistency in their policies.

TikTok officially told Reuters that no changes occurred to their policies or algorithms during the weekend shutdown. However, users with substantial followings reported experiencing new limitations and increased content moderation.

Creator Impacts and Specific Cases

Pat Loller, a content creator and military veteran with 1.3 million followers, reports new sharing restrictions on his satirical content. His video responding to Elon Musk at an inauguration event, which garnered over a million views, received a misinformation tag and sharing limitations previously unseen on the platform.

Political and social commentator Danisha Carter, who maintained an account with 2 million followers, reports a permanent suspension shortly after the platform’s temporary shutdown. 

Carter’s final livestream discussed tech executives’ influence over the American presidential campaign and U.S. businesses before her account was terminated for “multiple policy violations.”

Some users, including data analyst and content creator Ada “Mila” Ortiz, report receiving strikes for seemingly routine comments on other videos. Ortiz has subsequently removed approximately 15 videos featuring pro-Vice President Kamala Harris and anti-Trump content.

Other content creators across the platform report encountering a range of new restrictions in their daily usage such as limited search results, an uptick in misinformation warnings, and tightened source verification requirements. 

Many note their ability to share content has become more restricted, while others point to their posts being flagged for violations at higher rates than before. Creators who regularly use TikTok’s live streaming features have also observed a noticeable decrease in their streams’ visibility across the platform.

Platform Response and Executive Actions

TikTok acknowledges potential “temporary instability” as they restore services, which they say might impact features or user access. The company maintains its standard position against content promoting violent or hateful individuals.

On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to delay the TikTok ban for 75 days. Trump expressed openness to Elon Musk, who assists with his government efficiency initiative, potentially acquiring TikTok.

The situation develops as TikTok operates under new requirements enacted during the Biden administration with bipartisan support, mandating its sale to a U.S. buyer. Multiple potential bidders remain under consideration as the platform continues its U.S. operations.

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David Adler is an entrepreneur and freelance blog post writer who enjoys writing about business, entrepreneurship, travel and the influencer marketing space.

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