California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched an investigation into TikTok’s content moderation practices, alleging that the platform suppressed content critical of President Donald Trump. This move comes after TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, established a new joint venture aimed at ensuring the security of US user data.
The Controversy Unfolds
Newsom’s office indicated that it received numerous reports confirming instances of suppressed content post the TikTok sale to a Trump-aligned business group. In a statement, it announced the initiation of a review to check if these actions violated California law.
- Governor Newsom has long been critical of Trump, having a history of clashes.
- Over 200 million Americans currently use TikTok, raising concerns about the app’s influence.
- The review aims to address potential data privacy violations and national security risks.
Response from TikTok
In response to the accusations, TikTok representatives pointed to a recent technical outage, describing it as a systems failure that affected the browsing experience on their platform. They stated that claims of content suppression are the result of prior technical issues.
Joint Venture Details
Last week’s agreement set the stage for TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, where American and global investors will hold an 80.1% stake, while ByteDance will retain a 19.9% share. The joint venture aims to fortify data privacy and cybersecurity measures, emphasizing TikTok’s commitment to securing US user data.
Political Dynamics
With both Trump and Newsom having significant followings on TikTok—Trump himself credits the app with aiding his 2024 presidential campaign—the outcome of this investigation could have broader implications on the political landscape in the USA, as well as TikTok’s operational future.