TikTok Under New Ownership: Users Fear Too Much Control
TikTok is in the news and some folks are not at all happy about it. So far, creators loved it because of little moderation, and good viewership. After all, YouTube seems rather outdated these days, and takes forever to get followers. Well, the latest news brings dark implications. Read on for more details.
A New Company Takes Over
More than 200 million TikTok users in the USA feared the changes when it faced a total ban. Many people left back then, but it sailed on and folks love the platform. However, on Thursday this week, there was a massive update.
Hollywood Unlocked reported that there’s a new company named TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC taking over. And from the sound of it, all sorts of new rules apply.
The outlet noted that the new setup is designed to “operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances for U.S. users.”
New Rules & Setbacks?
What does that mean? Well, it seems to mean that creators face a lot of setbacks and rules to follow. While ByteDance, the original Beijing-based owner retains a 19.9% stake, the power moves across to new majority owners.
We’re talking about big names like Oracle, the private equity firm Silver Lake, and MGX out of the United Arab Emirates. Recall, in his first term, President Donald Trump tried pulling the plug.
Then, along came Joe Biden who let it run on briefly before shutting it down. But then it popped up again, and Trump was credited with “saving” the platform. But did he really? Users had a lot to say about it.
Readers React
Unfortunately for TikTokkers, it sounds ominously like loads of censorship comes along. When the outlet shared the news on Instagram, plenty of disappointed people griped about it. One of them wrote, “All I read here is CONTROL, CONTROL, CONTROL…”
Here are a few more responses from the discussion that followed:
- Just had to accept terms….🙄 wouldn’t let me bypass pop up either. Started deleting videos immediately to delete acct. I’ll be on Substack & Bluesky.
- China is about to create another that’s better than TikTok.
- Time to exit TikTok.
- That’s what he wanted MODERATION so we can’t stay informed of what’s really happening.
- There goes our only real source of news they gonna block everything now.
- Why tf does America have to take and control everything?
- Yeah, I’m done with TikTok now. I will be deactivating my page.
A Relief For Some Creators
Obviously, not everyone hates the idea of the platform being majority owned by Americans. And some established creators might even feel some relief. For the rest of us? It probably means our “For You” page isn’t going anywhere.
What are your thoughts? Will you carry on using TikTok? Or will you move across to Substack or back to YouTube? Sound off in the comments below, and come back often for all your social media news and updates.
