TikTok Users Flee to Alternatives After US Ownership Transition

TikTok’s American user base is experiencing significant upheaval as the platform separates from its global version and transitions to Oracle servers under Trump administration oversight. The shift has sparked widespread concerns about potential algorithmic changes and content censorship, prompting a notable migration to competing platforms.

Alternatives Gaining Traction

The transition has driven dramatic growth for several rival platforms. Upscrolled, an Instagram-style social network, experienced such overwhelming demand that its servers crashed over the weekend. Skylight, an open-source TikTok alternative, saw user sign-ups jump 150% during the same period. Visual messaging app Yope has also gained momentum in the U.S. market following similar concerns about government control of social platforms.

Censorship Allegations Fuel Exodus

Users have raised accusations that the new TikTok management is actively suppressing certain content. Reports indicate that searches for terms like “ICE” and “Minneapolis” are returning limited results, while videos related to recent ICE-related incidents are receiving restricted reach. TikTok attributes these issues to a power outage at a U.S. data center, though the timing has intensified user skepticism.

The new TikTok US board was hand-picked by the Trump team, fueling concerns that the platform may align with Republican messaging. Former President Trump previously stated he would make TikTok “100% MAGA” if possible, adding credence to users’ fears about potential propagandistic use of the platform.

Whether this exodus represents a permanent shift or temporary backlash remains uncertain, but the trend presents significant opportunities for emerging social media competitors seeking to capture TikTok’s disaffected user base.