US TikTok Users Reconsider App Over Privacy and Censorship Fears
Many TikTok users across the United States are rethinking their engagement with the popular short-form video platform, driven by concerns over privacy, censorship, and recent ownership changes. This shift comes as TikTok has made a deal to create a US-based entity and updated its terms and conditions, leading some to delete the app entirely.
Growing Distrust and User Exodus
According to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the daily average of US users deleting the TikTok app surged by 195% from January 22 to January 28, 2025, compared to the previous 90 days. This spike follows TikTok's announcement of a new US entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture, aimed at avoiding a potential ban in the country. The venture is majority-owned by US investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi's MGX, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake.
Keara Sullivan, a 26-year-old comedian with over half a million followers, expressed sadness at stepping away from TikTok, crediting the platform for jumpstarting her career. "I'm very transparent about the fact that where I am in my career is largely because of TikTok," she said. However, she cited censorship issues and changes in the app's functionality as reasons for her temporary departure.
Privacy Concerns and Updated Terms
The updated terms and conditions have sparked alarm among users, particularly regarding data collection practices. TikTok now explicitly acknowledges collecting precise location data unless users opt out, building on existing language that includes sensitive information such as racial and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and financial details. Julia, a 32-year-old caregiver from Washington, told the Guardian she deleted the app immediately after hearing about the new agreement, stating, "I trust Oracle and Ellison about as much as I trust eating a raw burger on a hot summer day."
Censorship Allegations and Political Backlash
Reports of content suppression have further fueled user discontent. Following the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents on January 24, 2025, some creators claimed videos critical of the federal agency were being censored. Comedian Meg Stalter deleted TikTok after her video urging Christians to speak out against ICE tactics failed to upload. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an investigation into potential censorship of anti-Trump content on the platform, citing reports of suppressed material.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture attributed technical issues, including content posting problems, to a power outage at a US data center, unrelated to political events. In a statement on January 27, 2025, the entity said, "We're committed to bringing TikTok back to its full capacity as soon as possible."
Algorithm Changes and Creator Impact
Users have also noted declines in recommendation quality and income reductions through TikTok's Creator Fund after a brief shutdown in January 2025. A 21-year-old software engineer, who requested anonymity, described how the app's algorithm initially captivated him but deteriorated post-shutdown, with pop-up messages framing Trump as a savior. Sullivan highlighted the banning of Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda as a censorship red flag, emphasizing the need for creators to diversify their online presence. "In the internet ecosphere, you kind of have to create these different avenues for yourself, because you can't rely on one platform," she advised.
As TikTok navigates these challenges, the broader debate over digital privacy and free speech continues to resonate with its user base, prompting a reevaluation of loyalty to the platform.