TikTok faces app deletions, censorship claims and glitches in days after its ownership change
Challenges Facing TikTok After Ownership Structure Change
By BARBARA ORTUTAY, AP Technology Writer
TikTok is currently navigating through a series of challenges following a recent ownership structure change in the United States. One of the major hurdles the company is facing is a significant infrastructure issue caused by a power outage at one of its U.S. data center partner sites. This outage has resulted in technical bugs affecting creators, such as zero views on videos and slow load times.
Despite efforts to restore services, users have raised concerns about potential censorship on the platform, particularly with videos critical of President Donald Trump or other controversial topics. The company has denied these claims, attributing the issues to technical difficulties.
Additionally, some users have expressed unease over the new ownership ties to Trump, leading to a surge in app deletions. However, despite the increase in uninstalls, daily average users have only seen a slight uptick, indicating that overall usage remains relatively stable.
Social media analysts suggest that while technical issues are expected during ownership transitions, prolonged problems with video uploads or censorship could pose a more significant challenge for TikTok in the future. User perception and experience play a crucial role in the success of the platform.
It is important to note that user behavior can be unpredictable, as seen in past instances where protests against potential bans quickly fizzled out. Nevertheless, ongoing concerns about algorithm changes and content moderation could potentially impact TikTok’s standing in the social media landscape.
