By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Comedian Megan Stalter and other TikTok users reported difficulties uploading videos critical of ICE, leading to accusations of censorship. These issues arose around the same time a new joint venture, partly owned by Oracle with ties to the Trump administration, took control of TikTok’s US operations. While TikTok attributed the glitches to a power outage, the timing of the issues raised concerns about content moderation and data security among users. Experts like Casey Fiesler highlight the lack of trust in social media platforms and the potential for perceived censorship, especially given the platform’s changing ownership.
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TikTok users are finding it impossible to upload anti-ICE videos, and the company is blaming tech issues. It’s a phrase that has, understandably, raised a lot of eyebrows, prompting immediate suspicion, and with good reason. The sudden appearance of technical glitches, specifically targeting content critical of a particular subject, is a classic sign of something more complicated going on.
The common sentiment is that the idea of random, coincidental “tech issues” preventing the upload of this specific type of video is hard to swallow. The immediate comparison is to the classic “old man yelling at clouds” scenario, where the obviousness of the situation is almost comical. The question isn’t whether something is happening, but how people can believe the stated explanation.
The core of the issue boils down to censorship, plain and simple. It’s not about malfunctioning servers or coding errors; it’s about control. The underlying assumption, supported by the circumstances, is that the app is actively suppressing content it deems undesirable. This is reminiscent of how some governments operate, restricting access to information and silencing dissenting voices.
The fact that the issue seems to be exclusively affecting a particular category of content makes the “tech issues” excuse even more suspect. If it were a genuine technical problem, you’d expect a wider range of issues, not one that neatly targets a specific viewpoint. It’s like finding a leak in a specific pipe while the rest of the plumbing is working perfectly.
The ownership and management of TikTok are also being called into question. The suggestion is that the people who now own and control the platform have a political agenda, and that this agenda influences the platform’s content moderation policies. This perspective argues that there’s a direct correlation between ownership, political alignment, and the suppression of certain types of content.
There’s also a deep-seated distrust of social media platforms, generally. The concern is that these platforms are designed to manipulate users, and that they often prioritize profits and political agendas over free speech. The perception is that these platforms will never be genuinely unbiased, and are more likely tools to be used by powerful interests to control the narrative.
The response from some is simple: Delete the app. The argument here is that the only way to avoid being complicit in censorship is to remove yourself from the platform entirely. This is more than just a matter of convenience; it’s a statement about principles, about refusing to support a platform that appears to be actively suppressing freedom of expression.
The irony of the situation isn’t lost on the commenters. It seems that the very people who once decried censorship are now finding themselves in a situation that is the mirror image of what they feared. This reversal can only leave a sour taste.
The broader implications are deeply concerning. If social media platforms can control what information their users see, then it undermines the very foundation of free expression. This is one of the most serious accusations made, because if it’s true, it points to a serious threat to democracy.
The future of social media is in doubt. The rise of platforms that prioritize decentralization and encryption is being seen. These alternatives promise greater privacy and control over content, but their widespread adoption is far from assured.
Finally, the ultimate takeaway is that it’s more than just a “tech issue.” It’s about censorship, control, and the potential manipulation of information in the digital age. This is something that users need to be aware of and consider when they think about the content they consume.