Allegations of censorship and bias against conservative viewpoints have long plagued the Chinese-owned social media platform, TikTok. Numerous right-leaning influencers have voiced concerns about suppressed reach and content removal, claiming the app actively stifles alternative perspectives.
Radio host Victor Nieves shared his experience, stating, "Navigating TikTok as a conservative is challenging. Censorship, shadow-banning, and content takedowns are common occurrences." Shadow-banning, a tactic where content visibility is drastically reduced without account suspension, reportedly lasts around two weeks, but can be repeatedly imposed.
An Army Special Operations veteran, known online as The Older Millennial, described a recurring cycle of account growth followed by targeted takedowns. He explained how videos exceeding 20,000 views are often reported and removed, despite successful appeals. This accumulation of strikes, even if overturned, ultimately leads to permanent account suspension.
This account suspension pattern appears widespread among conservative creators, with many forced to create multiple accounts. TikTok denies these claims, insisting that overturned strikes do not have lasting repercussions. However, the creators interviewed for this piece, some on their thirteenth account, contest this assertion.
A significant point of contention is the perceived double standard in content moderation. Turning Point USA contributor Morgonn McMichael highlighted the disparity, stating, "There's a clear bias, particularly regarding topics like gender ideology and race. Content challenging the 'woke' narrative is often targeted, while liberal counterparts face less scrutiny." Clarkson Lawson echoed this sentiment, citing instances where his content was removed for 'harassment and bullying,' while videos from liberal creators containing aggressive language remained online.
TikTok maintains that content moderation is strictly based on community guidelines, with no political bias. However, the platform refused to disclose the "over 100 organizations" consulted in developing these guidelines, raising questions about transparency and potential influence. While TikTok asserts no discriminatory practices, examples of videos containing potentially hateful rhetoric remaining online challenge the consistency of their enforcement.
The recent revelation of Democratic National Committee payments to Palette Management, a company employing several left-leaning TikTok creators, has fueled further debate. Conservative creators see potential in similar partnerships, but emphasize the importance of authenticity and avoiding financial transactions that could compromise credibility.
Amidst ongoing scrutiny over data privacy and alleged ties to the Chinese government, TikTok faces bans on government devices in numerous states and federal agencies. Discussions regarding a nationwide ban continue in Congress. Despite these challenges, conservative creators remain on the platform, emphasizing the importance of representing their viewpoints in the digital sphere.
The fight for fair representation on social media continues, and the experiences of these conservative creators highlight the ongoing debate surrounding censorship, algorithmic bias, and the need for transparency in content moderation practices.
