Some US TikTok users are voicing concerns over what they perceive as heightened content moderation following the app’s return. The platform, owned by China’s ByteDance, faced a temporary ban over national security concerns before being revived through an executive order. Although TikTok insists its policies remain unchanged, many users report noticeable differences in their experience.
Content creators claim that livestreams are less frequent and posts are being flagged or removed for guideline violations at higher rates. Some allege the platform has been restricting searches, issuing misinformation warnings, and deleting previously acceptable content, such as comments mentioning ‘Free Palestine’ or referencing political figures. TikTok asserts it does not permit violent or hateful content and blames temporary instability during the restoration of its US operations.
Prominent creators have shared their struggles. Comedian Pat Loller reported his satirical video on Elon Musk faced sharing restrictions, while political commentator Danisha Carter’s account was permanently banned for alleged policy violations. Other users describe strikes against seemingly harmless content, fuelling suspicions that moderation may target specific identities or viewpoints.
The controversy has revived debates about censorship and freedom of speech on social media platforms. As TikTok navigates its future, including potential acquisition by a US buyer, creators and users alike question the impact of these changes on online expression.
Billionaire Frank McCourt has expressed interest in partnering with others to acquire TikTok’s US operations, provided he retains control. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he revealed that private equity firms and family offices have already offered financial backing. He emphasised that the primary challenge lies in awaiting decisions from ByteDance or the Chinese government, rather than securing funding.
McCourt’s bid, tied to his Project Liberty initiative, aims to shift TikTok’s 170 million US users to his platform, promoting greater user control over data sharing. The billionaire remains firm on excluding TikTok’s recommendation algorithm from the deal. His advocacy group initially submitted a proposal earlier this year, focusing on building a digital infrastructure based in the US.
Interest in TikTok’s US operations has surged, drawing attention from notable investors, including Elon Musk and Larry Ellison. Some existing TikTok stakeholders have expressed interest in retaining partial stakes, potentially lowering the estimated $20 billion cost. The sale follows legislative pressure in the US to enforce divestiture or a ban.
McCourt reported bipartisan support from Congress for ensuring a qualified divestiture of TikTok’s US assets. Despite never using the app himself, he values its users, data, and brand, seeing the acquisition as an opportunity to reshape digital engagement.
ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant behind TikTok, has allocated over 150 billion yuan ($20.64 billion) for capital expenditure this year, with a significant focus on AI, according to sources familiar with the matter. About half of the investment will support overseas AI infrastructure, including data centres and networking equipment. Beneficiaries of this spending are expected to include chipmakers Huawei, Cambricon, and US supplier Nvidia, although ByteDance has denied the accuracy of the claims.
The investment aims to solidify ByteDance’s AI leadership in China, where it has launched over 15 standalone AI applications, such as the popular chatbot Doubao, which boasts 75 million monthly active users. Its international counterparts include apps like Cici and Dreamina, reflecting ByteDance’s strategy to adapt its AI offerings globally. The company also recently updated its flagship AI model, Doubao, to rival reasoning models like those developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
ByteDance’s international spending aligns with its efforts to expand AI capabilities abroad amid challenges like the uncertain future of TikTok in the United States. While ByteDance’s $20 billion plan is substantial, it remains modest compared to the AI investments of US tech giants like Google and Microsoft, which spent $50 billion and $55.7 billion respectively on AI infrastructure in the past year. The spending will also bolster ByteDance’s partnerships with suppliers such as Nvidia, from which it has procured custom AI chips tailored to China despite US export restrictions.
TikTok users in the United States remain in limbo as the popular app continues to be unavailable for download from Apple and Google app stores. The platform, owned by China’s ByteDance, resumed service following a temporary shutdown, but legal uncertainties have prevented its return to digital storefronts.
The impasse stems from a US law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a nationwide ban due to national security concerns. President Trump recently extended the enforcement deadline, sparking debates about potential buyers, including high-profile figures like Elon Musk. However, no clear resolution has emerged, leaving users and tech giants caught in legal purgatory.
Some frustrated fans have resorted to selling devices with TikTok pre-installed for exorbitant prices on platforms like eBay. Others are attempting workarounds, such as location changes or VPNs, to regain access. Despite these efforts, confusion about TikTok’s long-term future has prompted some users to abandon the app entirely, citing dissatisfaction with political interference.
As negotiations continue, TikTok’s status in the US remains precarious, with both users and the company waiting anxiously for clarity on its fate.
China’s foreign ministry stated on Monday that companies should make independent decisions regarding their business operations and agreements. The remarks came in response to United States President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal requiring 50% US ownership of TikTok.
The proposed ownership demand has reignited tensions over the popular social media app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, as US officials continue to express concerns over national security and data privacy. Chinese officials have consistently emphasised the importance of allowing businesses to operate without undue government interference.
TikTok, which boasts millions of users worldwide, has faced scrutiny in several countries over its links to China. The foreign ministry’s statement highlights Beijing’s stance that such matters should remain in the hands of corporations rather than being dictated by political decisions.
A new poll by the Allensbach Institute reveals that Germans who rely on TikTok for news are less likely to view China as a dictatorship, criticise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or trust vaccines compared to consumers of traditional media. The findings suggest that the platform’s information ecosystem could contribute to scepticism about widely accepted narratives and amplify conspiracy theories. Among surveyed groups, TikTok users exhibited levels of distrust in line with users of X, formerly Twitter.
The study, commissioned by a foundation affiliated with Germany’s Free Democrats, comes amid ongoing US debates over the potential national security risks posed by the Chinese-owned app. The research highlights how young Germans, who make up TikTok’s largest user base, are more inclined to support the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has surged in popularity ahead of Germany’s upcoming election. By contrast, consumers of traditional media were significantly more supportive of Ukraine and critical of Russian aggression.
Concerns about misinformation on platforms like TikTok are echoed by researchers, who warn that foreign powers, particularly Russia, exploit social media to influence public opinion. The poll found that while 57% of newspaper readers believed China to be a dictatorship, only 28.1% of TikTok users shared the same view. Additionally, TikTok users were less likely to believe that China and Russia disseminate false information, while being more suspicious of their own government. Calls for action to address misinformation underscore the platform’s potential impact on younger, more impressionable audiences.
ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is reportedly planning a substantial $12 billion investment in AI infrastructure by 2025. According to the Financial Times, the funds will go towards acquiring advanced AI chips and enhancing model training capabilities, both domestically and abroad. A spokesperson for ByteDance refuted the accuracy of the report, calling the claims incorrect.
The company intends to allocate 40 billion yuan ($5.5 billion) towards purchasing AI chips in China, while an additional $6.8 billion will be spent overseas. Domestic semiconductor orders would largely go to Chinese suppliers, including Huawei and Cambricon, with the remainder focused on Nvidia chips modified to comply with US export restrictions.
China’s government has encouraged tech firms to source a significant percentage of their chips from local manufacturers. Meanwhile, ByteDance continues to navigate US scrutiny, with its popular app TikTok facing political pressure to be sold.
The news comes amid a broader global race for AI dominance, where investment in cutting-edge technology remains pivotal for competitive advantage.
President Donald Trump’s executive order delaying the enforcement of a US TikTok ban has created new legal uncertainties for the platform and its service providers, including Google and Apple. Signed on Monday, the order pauses for 75 days a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app over national security concerns.
While the order directs the Justice Department to halt enforcement and assures app distributors of no liability during the review period, legal experts warn that the promise offers little protection. Courts do not consider executive orders binding, and Trump could alter or selectively enforce the policy at any time, potentially exposing companies to massive penalties.
The ban, passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court days before Trump’s order, imposes steep fines of $5,000 per user for violations, making compliance a high-stakes gamble for service providers. Critics argue that the legal ambiguity could also open companies to shareholder lawsuits if they ignore the ban based solely on Trump’s directive.
Trump’s move has reignited tensions between the White House and lawmakers, who overwhelmingly supported the ban over fears of Chinese influence. The coming weeks may bring further legal battles and political manoeuvring as the future of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance.
Donald Trump expressed openness to Elon Musk acquiring TikTok, should the Tesla CEO choose to pursue the purchase. The social media platform, widely popular in the US, was taken offline temporarily after a law requiring its sale by its Chinese owner ByteDance came into effect. Officials cited national security concerns, stating that Americans’ data might be at risk under Chinese control.
Reports have surfaced about early discussions between Chinese officials and Musk regarding TikTok’s US operations, though the company denied any such plans. Trump, however, supported the idea, suggesting a partial financial benefit for the United States if a sale occurred.
TikTok has contested the ban, emphasising its storage of American user data on Oracle-operated servers in the US. Content moderation for the app is also reportedly handled within the country. Critics of the ban argue it infringes on free speech, while Musk highlighted the disparity in business access between the US and China.
The controversy over TikTok’s future underscores broader tensions in US-China relations, particularly regarding data security and market fairness. With Musk’s influence and interest in tech and free speech, his potential involvement could significantly shape TikTok’s trajectory.
Donald Trump has approved a 75-day delay in banning TikTok in the US through an executive order signed on Monday 20 January. The popular video app, owned by China’s ByteDance, faced potential closure due to national security concerns, but Trump suggested the US government should take a 50% stake in TikTok’s US business to secure its future. He also warned of possible tariffs on China if Beijing failed to endorse a deal.
The executive order, announced hours after Trump’s inauguration, sparked legal and political debates about its validity. Congress had previously mandated ByteDance to divest TikTok, a law upheld by the Supreme Court. Critics, including Representative Frank Pallone, argued Trump’s order bypassed bipartisan legislation. ByteDance has not confirmed any binding agreements to sell TikTok, leaving uncertainty over the app’s fate.
Tensions between the US and China underpin the TikTok saga, with Trump’s proposal for government ownership raising eyebrows. The idea would set a precedent, as no major social media platform has faced a ban or such a demand before. While Trump credited TikTok for engaging younger voters, his earlier efforts to ban the app had failed.
China expressed openness to discussions, emphasising that companies should make independent decisions about operations. Meanwhile, Trump’s order directed the Justice Department to assure companies like Google and Apple of no penalties during the delay. Whether the app will return to US app stores remains uncertain as talks continue.
