TikTok’s censorship weakens our election integrity

When Congress forced the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations, the promise was simple: an American-run app, free of foreign manipulation. In January, an American-led joint venture took control of TikTok’s U.S. recommendation algorithm and its content moderation. Even though the ownership changed, its algorithmic gamesmanship didn’t. Given the upcoming election, this has grave implications.

Just look at TikTok’s track record. In 2020, TikTok banned the pro-life group Live Action, then reinstated it after a public outcry and blamed “human error.” Young America’s Foundation reported videos pulled without explanation or appeal. In 2023, TikTok shut down the ad account of a veteran-owned company, Mammoth Nation, after first approving its campaign.