The social media app TikTok went offline on January 19 for less than a day after being banned by Congress due to national security concerns related to China holding U.S. citizens’ data.
While discussions were ongoing in Congress, the app’s imminent ban was heavily discussed by TikTok community. Many creators made their livelihoods on the app through video revenue or the shop feature and had to say goodbye to the communities which they gathered over the six years of the app’s operation. Many other creators, including major companies, posted their favorite memories of TikTok or recaps of past TikTok trends. Despite President Trump promising to unban the app through an executive order on Inauguration Day, many people in America considered Dec. 18 as their final ever day on the app.
And then, it wasn’t. On Jan. 19, TikTok was back up and running as if nothing had happened. This time, however, it included a user-wide message from TikTok HQ giving profuse thanks to Trump, crediting him as the sole savior of the app.
This is a blatant piece of propaganda, whether intentional or not, for Trump. It’s important to remember that Trump was the one who wanted the app banned in the first place. Back in 2020, Trump signed an executive order which attempted to ban the app in the U.S., yet now he’s firmly team TikTok, as long as it panders to him.
After the app’s revival on Jan. 19, certain phrases and topics have mysteriously disappeared within the app’s search function. Many terms have seemingly been banned and unbanned at irregular, unpredictable intervals. Examples of this include the Taylor Swift song “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” which had been used to critique both Elon Musk and Trump, and the abbreviation for women loving women – “wlw.” Other search terms including the phrase “Free Palestine” are now being flagged as hate speech.
This, to me, is a stark reminder that we need to be vigilant. If people hadn’t pointed out these functions vanishing, many others, including myself, wouldn’t have noticed they’re gone. I dread to think what is possible if people never notice if something goes missing. Critiques of politicians and expressions of people’s sexualities should not be so easily silenced.
What I find the most ironic aspect of this scenario is that many U.S.-based TikTok users migrated to an app called RedNote. RedNote is a Chinese app for Chinese users, and knowingly censors certain terms the Chinese Government wants them to, such as speech surrounding Taiwan and the Tiananmen Square Massacre. It has been a sad eye-opener to many U.S. citizens, as Chinese users were surprised that life in America was similar to what their government had claimed it was.
Whether you have abandoned TikTok or are still on the app, it’s important to remember it was an intentional move by U.S. politicians. Trump tried to do this back in 2020. Now, he is trying to paint himself as a stalwart savior of the app. Do not fall for this blatant piece of propaganda.
