TikTok’s New Era: Users Delete App Amid Privacy Fears, Censorship Claims, and Political Controversy

TikTok, the short-form video juggernaut that once dominated American social media, is facing an unprecedented exodus as users delete the app in record numbers following sweeping ownership changes, controversial terms of service updates, and mounting concerns about censorship and privacy.

The exodus accelerated dramatically in late January 2026, with Sensor Tower data revealing a staggering 195% increase in daily US app deletions compared to the previous 90 days. What began as a platform celebrated for its algorithmic magic and creative freedom has transformed into a lightning rod for political controversy and privacy debates.

The Ownership Shakeup That Changed Everything

The controversy centers on TikTok’s dramatic restructuring. After years of political pressure and existential threats, the Chinese-owned ByteDance created TikTok USDS Joint Venture, a new US-based entity designed to appease American regulators and avoid a nationwide ban. The new ownership structure reads like a who’s who of tech power players: Oracle (controlled by Trump ally Larry Ellison), private equity giant Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund MGX now collectively own 80.1% of the platform, while ByteDance retains a minority 19.9% stake.

This arrangement represents the culmination of a five-year saga that began when Donald Trump first threatened to ban TikTok during his initial presidential term in 2020. The platform’s survival came at a steep price—both financially and ideologically.

Terms of Service: The Privacy Landmine

Perhaps most alarming to users are the platform’s updated terms and conditions, which explicitly state TikTok’s authority to collect highly sensitive personal data. The new terms detail collection of “racial and ethnic origin,” “sexual life or sexual orientation,” “status as transgender or nonbinary,” “citizenship or immigration status,” and “financial information.”

While some of this language existed in previous versions updated in 2024, the explicit acknowledgment of precise location data collection—unless users actively opt out—has sent privacy advocates into overdrive. Mashable first reported this concerning addition, noting that TikTok now openly admits to tracking users’ exact whereabouts.

“I trust Oracle and Ellison about as much as I trust eating a raw burger on a hot summer day,” said Julia, a 32-year-old caregiver from Washington who deleted the app immediately upon learning about the new ownership structure.

Censorship Allegations Rock the Platform

The controversy deepened dramatically following the January 24 killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Content creators across the platform reported that videos condemning federal immigration tactics were being suppressed or algorithmically buried. Comedian Meg Stalter went public with her experience, claiming a video urging fellow Christians to speak up against ICE tactics failed to upload. She subsequently deleted the app entirely.

“[TikTok] is under new ownership and we are being completely censored and monitored,” Stalter wrote in an Instagram post that quickly went viral.

California Governor Gavin Newsom amplified these concerns, announcing an official state investigation into potential Trump-aligned censorship. “Following TikTok’s sale to a Trump-aligned business group, our office has received reports, and independently confirmed instances, of suppressed content critical of President Trump,” Newsom posted on X, promising to examine whether the platform violates California law through political content suppression.

Technical Turmoil and Algorithmic Betrayal

Users report experiencing significant technical issues following the ownership transition. TikTok USDS Joint Venture attributed widespread problems to a power outage at a US data center, claiming the issues were unrelated to the ownership change. However, many users remain skeptical.

A 21-year-old software engineer who asked to remain anonymous described his disillusionment: “I was amazed how quickly it learned my interests, kept up with trends and recommended things I would’ve never sought out myself. For better or for worse, I was probably using it at least four hours a day.”

But the temporary shutdown in January 2025 marked a turning point. “I didn’t like how the pop-up message painted Trump as the ‘savior’ that would bring back TikTok once he was in office,” he explained. “After it was brought back, I noticed a significant decline in recommendation quality.”

Creators Face an Existential Crisis

For content creators who built their careers on the platform, the changes represent more than inconvenience—they threaten livelihoods. Keara Sullivan, a 26-year-old comedian with over half a million followers, credits TikTok with jumpstarting her career and helping her secure both a manager and literary agent.

“I’m not one of those creators who’s a TikTok hater,” Sullivan emphasized. “I’m very transparent about the fact that where I am in my career is largely because of TikTok.”

Yet even Sullivan acknowledges the necessity of diversification. Following the platform’s brief blackout, she noticed significant reductions in Creator Fund income and grew increasingly concerned about censorship, particularly after the banning of Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, who had amassed 1.4 million followers before her account was removed.

“In the internet ecosphere, you kind of have to create these different avenues for yourself, because you can’t rely on one platform,” Sullivan advised. “The algorithm could change at any time.”

The Broader Implications

The TikTok controversy reflects deeper tensions about data privacy, corporate power, and political influence in the digital age. As users abandon the platform in droves, questions linger about the future of social media in an era where entertainment platforms increasingly intersect with surveillance capitalism and political agendas.

For millions of former TikTok users, the decision to delete represents more than switching apps—it’s a statement about privacy rights, free expression, and the growing unease with tech platforms that seem to serve interests beyond their user base.

The platform that once promised connection and creativity now finds itself at the center of a national debate about the price of digital engagement in an age of unprecedented corporate consolidation and political polarization.

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