Right after TikTok became accessible again in the U.S., users noticed that the phrase “Free Palestine” was being blocked from comments on the platform. Screenshots quickly spread on social media, showing that this expression was removed for allegedly violating “community guidelines.” So, is TikTok really censoring certain content, or was this a technical issue?
TikTok Users Are Not Happy About This!
Many TikTok users reported on platforms like X and Bluesky that when they tried to post “Free Palestine” as a comment, they received notifications stating the content was immediately removed. Users in the U.S., in particular, said they were affected. However, some users claimed that they were able to share the phrase without it being removed.
Some even noted that while they posted “Free Palestine” comments from the same account, some were deleted while others remained. There were also examples where nonsensical expressions like “Free XYZTU” weren’t deleted, but when “Free Palestine” was used, the comment was removed.
The Instagram Manager recently made an announcement stating that there has been a change in the time limit for Instagram Reels.
TikTok Administrator: “It Was a Technical Issue”
A TikTok spokesperson clarified that there was no change to the platform’s content moderation policies and that there was no specific ban on the phrase “Free Palestine.” They explained that technical glitches over the weekend may have caused some content to be mistakenly removed. The company added that it was working to return its operations to normal in the U.S., with some temporary issues expected.
This isn’t the first claim about the censorship of Palestinian-related content on social media platforms. In 2023, 48 organizations issued a statement alleging that pro-Palestinian content was being downplayed or blocked by algorithms. There were also claims about translation issues with the word “Palestine” on Instagram and Twitch blocking new accounts from users in Israel and Palestine.
While TikTok’s explanation suggests this was not a censorship policy, many users and digital rights advocates remain skeptical. Given past allegations of content removal on political issues, incidents like this continue to raise concerns.
What do you think? Could TikTok be censoring certain expressions, or was this just a technical error? Share your thoughts in the comments!
