Individuals are opting to delete their TikTok accounts following the establishment of a new US board aimed at securing the platform.
The social media platform recently introduced its USDS joint venture, designed to “secure US user data, apps and the algorithm through comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity measures.”
In the wake of this announcement, TikTok US revised its terms and conditions, prompting users to scrutinize them closely.
Concerns arose regarding the types of information TikTok collects, such as “your racial or ethnic origin” and “sexual life or sexual orientation, status as transgender or nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status, or financial information.” Additionally, users noted that by uploading content to TikTok, the app gains the right to repurpose it for advertising, AI training, and product development.
TikTok also reserves the right to permanently ban user accounts.
According to CNBC, daily account deletions by TikTok users in the US have surged by nearly 150 percent over the past five days, based on data from Sensor Tower.
One social media user expressed their concerns on X, formerly Twitter: “Chat, it might really be over TikTok. The new Terms Of Service is actually insane. Beyond invasive and predatory.”
The individual continued: “They own all of your content and likeness and can use it for ads, can permanently delete your account without explanation — it’s pretty bad.”
Some users reported deleting their accounts following the implementation of the new US board, with one stating: “As soon as they let me delete my account I’m out.”
Another user added: “Deleted it, the new terms and services is next level. Gonna start deleting other platforms too I think but I just couldn’t agree to it.”
Critics have labeled the terms and conditions as hypocritical, noting the US’s previous concerns about China accessing user data.
One Twitter user remarked, “Remember how they tried to pretend it was China that was bad?”
Some defended the conditions, arguing that most social media platforms have similar terms. CNBC also noted that an archived version of the policy from August 2024, when TikTok was under ByteDance, contained the same details.
With concerns about personal data and potential changes to the algorithm, the question remains whether this could signal the decline of TikTok in the US.
These developments come just over a year after TikTok faced potential banning due to national security concerns raised by former President Donald Trump regarding ByteDance, its Chinese parent company.
There were fears that Beijing could use the app to collect data on US users or influence public opinion, allegations that China denied.
Despite this, President Trump enacted a law requiring ByteDance to sell the company.
A compromise was reached with the formation of the new US joint venture, operated by Trump allies like Oracle, owned by tech billionaire Larry Ellison, American investment firm Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based AI investment company, MGX, who collectively hold the majority stake.
Under this new arrangement, ByteDance retains a minority 19.9 stake, while US and UAE companies manage daily operations.
As part of the transition, American users may notice changes to their For You Pages as the algorithm undergoes retraining, testing, and updates.
The US venture stated that these efforts are intended to “safeguard the US content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation.”
UNILAD has reached out to TikTok USDS Joint Venture for comment.