TikTok is facing scrutiny over claims that it has been removing comments containing the phrase “Free Palestine” on its platform.
Several users reported their comments being flagged for violating community guidelines, with notifications indicating the violations as “hate speech” or “hateful behaviour.”
These incidents come shortly after the app was reinstated in the US following a brief shutdown due to concerns over national security and ownership issues.
Despite TikTok’s spokesperson stating that there have been no changes to the platform’s policies or moderation practices, users have continued to report the removal of pro-Palestinian content.
Screenshots shared on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky show users encountering notifications explaining that their “Free Palestine” comments violated the platform’s community guidelines.
“I tried this myself using two different accounts,” one user explained. “On one, I was able to comment ‘Free Palestine’ with no issues, but on the other, it was instantly removed with a message about violating the community guidelines.”
This incident has sparked concerns that the removal of these comments may be linked to a broader trend of content censorship following the app’s reinstatement in the US after President Donald Trump’s intervention.
In response to these claims, TikTok stated that no policy against “Free Palestine” exists and that the platform was working on restoring US operations following the brief disruption.
The company attributed the issues to “temporary instability” as services were being restored, and reiterated its commitment to free expression within the bounds of its community guidelines.
The censorship claims have ignited a wider conversation about TikTok’s content moderation policies, with many users speculating that political pressures may influence the company’s actions. Some have linked the alleged censorship to the broader geopolitical situation, citing lobbying efforts by Israeli groups to curb content deemed antisemitic. These concerns have led to comparisons between TikTok’s actions and censorship in authoritarian regimes.
The removal of “Free Palestine” comments adds to a series of high-profile incidents involving the suppression of Palestinian voices online. In October 2023, 48 organisations issued a statement accusing tech companies, including TikTok, of disproportionately censoring Palestinian content. Similar allegations of censorship have surfaced on other platforms like Instagram, Google, and Twitch, leading to accusations of bias in content moderation.
As TikTok faces increasing scrutiny over its moderation practices, the platform has yet to provide a clear explanation for the removal of pro-Palestinian comments.
