Privacy concerns and fear of censorship: TikTok uninstalls skyrocket in the US

TikTok is currently losing users en masse in the USA. Data from Sensor Tower shows that the number of daily app deletions skyrocketed by almost 150% in the first five days after the change of operator compared to the previous quarter. The main reasons cited for this exodus are technical shortcomings as well as concerns about privacy and the political orientation of the new owners.

TikTok's newest terms of service and private policies have raised a few eyebrows, particularly in regard to clauses that allow the collection of sensitive data such as ethnicity, sexual orientation and immigration status. Although these clauses have reportedly been part of the guidelines since August 2024, they have been interpreted as reflecting the political agenda of its new owners. Users and creators have expressed fears that the platform could be subject to increased censorship in the future. TikTok USA has countered these speculations and assured users that there would be no censorship. Specifically, sensitive topics such as the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Jeffrey Epstein case were mentioned, which would continue to be freely discussed on the platform.

Technical problems affecting the algorithm and upload functions have further compounded the siutation. A data center blackout on January 25 left many users without access to TikTok for over 24 hours. Consequently, competitors such as UpScrolled and Skylight Social saw explosive increases in downloads. Despite the high number of uninstalls, active app usage in the US has remained largely stable, suggesting that the platform's core user base is staying loyal for now.