TikTok Faces Widespread Glitches Amid Ownership Transition

TikTok users in the United States reported significant issues with the app over the weekend, with Downdetector recording over 663,000 reports of glitches. Users experienced problems such as repeated videos on the "For You" feed, content not displaying, and new posts receiving no views. The disruptions began on Sunday and continued into Monday, prompting TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, the new entity overseeing TikTok's U.S. operations, to issue an apology and confirm that they were addressing the situation.

TikTok apologises after thousands of US users report app issuesTikTok attributes recent glitches to a power outage at a U.S. data center

TikTok attributed the widespread issues to a power outage at a U.S. data center, which affected not only TikTok but also other applications operated by the company. The outage coincided with the establishment of TikTok USDS, a joint venture formed to alleviate U.S. government concerns regarding data security linked to its former parent company, ByteDance. Under this new structure, ByteDance retains less than 20% ownership, while Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX each hold 15%.

TikTok attributes recent glitches to a power outage at a U.S. data center

The timing of the outages raised suspicions among users, with some speculating that the glitches might be related to the app's new ownership or potential changes to its algorithm. Many users took to rival social media platforms to express their frustrations, describing the app as "extremely slow" and reporting issues with accessing creator tools, which are essential for tracking advertising revenue.

TikTok apologises after thousands of US users report app issues

Amid the technical difficulties, some users voiced concerns about potential censorship, particularly regarding discussions related to ongoing protests in Minneapolis and other politically sensitive topics. However, TikTok has maintained that the issues stem from the data center outage rather than any deliberate attempt to restrict content. Critics have pointed out that the app's updated privacy policy, which includes provisions for collecting sensitive user data, has also contributed to unease among users during this period of instability.

TikTok attributes recent glitches to a power outage at a U.S. data center

In response to the disruptions, TikTok USDS stated, “We’re working to restore our services following a power outage at a U.S. data center impacting TikTok and other apps we operate. We’re sorry for this disruption and hope to resolve it soon.” The company is collaborating with its data center partner, Oracle, to stabilize the service.

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While TikTok insists that the outages are purely technical, some users remain skeptical, linking the timing of the glitches to the recent changes in ownership and the app's privacy policy updates. There is a notable gap in information regarding the specific nature of the power outage and its broader implications for user data security.

TikTok attributes recent glitches to a power outage at a U.S. data center

As TikTok works to resolve the ongoing issues, users are left to navigate the uncertainties surrounding the app's functionality and privacy practices. The situation highlights the challenges faced by social media platforms during transitions in ownership and the heightened scrutiny they encounter from users and regulators alike.

TikTok attributes recent glitches to a power outage at a U.S. data center