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TikTok 'bans use of word Epstein' after algorithm change as Newsom launches 'censorship' probe
On Monday, some users reported that the word "Epstein" had been flagged as a possible violation of TikTok's community guidelines, the term referring to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Newsom, in response to one photo of a flagged Epstein post, said on X that it was "time to investigate.""I am launching a review into whether TikTok is violating state law by censoring Trump-critical content," Newsom wrote.
TikTok announced on Thursday that it had established TikTok USDS Joint Venture, a corporate body responsible for bringing the app in compliance with a 2024 law upheld by the Supreme Court requiring the app divest from Chinese ownership. Enforcement of the law was repeatedly postponed by the Trump administration until last week.
In its announcement, TikTok said the venture would "retrain, test, and update the content recommendation algorithm on US user data.” But many users expressed concern that the app's new GOP-backed owners could manipulate the algorithm to prioritize content more favorable to Republican causes
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