US ownership of TikTok leads to bans on Palestinian influencers, journalists

LONDON – TikTok has permanently banned the account of award-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, who boasted over 1.4 million followers, in a move that has ignited widespread outrage and accusations of political censorship.

The ban, announced by Owda Wednesday, comes amid broader concerns that the platform's recent shift to American ownership is suppressing pro-Palestinian voices, particularly those documenting the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Owda, an Emmy-winning journalist known for her on-the-ground reporting from Gaza, shared the news of her suspension on alternative platforms, stating that her account was removed without clear explanation, following what she described as "political pressure linked to Israel." 

Her content, which often highlighted the human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, had garnered international attention, including a prestigious Emmy award for her documentary work. This incident is not isolated; it reflects a pattern of alleged digital erasure targeting Palestinian influencers and journalists on major social media platforms, with TikTok now at the center of the storm under its new US-based proprietors.

Background: TikTok's Turbulent Transition to US Ownership

TikTok, originally owned by Chinese company ByteDance, faced intense scrutiny in the United States over national security concerns, culminating in a federal law that threatened a nationwide ban unless the app was sold to American buyers. 

The US Supreme Court upheld this law in January 2025, forcing ByteDance to divest. The acquisition was finalized recently, with reports linking the new ownership to influential figures like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, known for his pro-Israel stance.

Critics argue that this change has exacerbated existing biases. Even before the sale, TikTok had been accused of uneven moderation: A 2021 report revealed that former moderators were instructed to leave up "disturbing" content depicting violence against Palestinians while strictly enforcing rules on other forms of graphic material. 

Post-acquisition, users and activists claim the platform has intensified efforts to curb pro-Palestinian content, including shadow bans, hashtag suppression, and outright account removals. 

For instance, pro-Palestinian hashtags have reportedly been prevented from trending, giving an advantage to opposing narratives.

As early as 2023, during escalations in the Israel-Hamas conflict, platforms like TikTok and Instagram were criticized for "shadow banning" Palestinian content—reducing visibility without notification—while allowing anti-Arab hate speech to proliferate. 

A 2025 Global Voices report documented ongoing "digital erasure," including account suspensions and content removals that disproportionately affected Palestinians, contrasting with leniency toward Israeli figures' hate speech.

Specific Cases of Bans and Suppression

Owda's ban is the most high-profile recent example, but it's part of a larger trend. Owda's account, @wizardbisan, was a vital source for real-time updates from Gaza, often bypassing traditional media gatekeepers. Following her suspension, she urged followers to migrate to alternatives, amplifying calls for a boycott.

In 2023, the pro-Palestine news outlet Mondoweiss reported its TikTok account was permanently banned without warning during a surge in Israeli violence.

Educational creators on TikTok have faced copyright flags for videos about Palestine, allegedly triggered by mass reposting to other platforms like Instagram—a tactic not previously enforced so rigorously.

Influencers documenting Gaza's humanitarian crisis have seen their reach plummet, with some attributing it to algorithmic demotion.

A report from the Arab Center for Social Media Advancements (Hamle) highlighted "devastating impacts" on Palestinian influencers, including account blocks and content deletions, under the guise of community guidelines violations. 

TikTok has disputed claims of anti-Israel bias in the past, asserting that its algorithms reflect user preferences rather than imposed agendas. However, a 2023 Vox analysis found no evidence of deliberate pushing of pro-Palestinian content, suggesting organic user interest drives visibility - yet post-ownership change, many fear this dynamic has shifted.

Reactions and Backlash

The bans have sparked a digital exodus. Users are flocking to alternatives like UpScrolled, a Palestinian-created app that has surged into the App Store's top ten, promising "no censorship" and "no surveillance." Pro-Palestine activists warn that the US TikTok ban (prior to the sale) and subsequent moderation changes could severely limit coverage of Gaza, stifling global awareness.

On X (formerly Twitter), discussions rage. One user noted, "Israel is stifling free speech in USA," linking the bans to the new ownership. Another called for deleting TikTok, citing blocks on related content. 

Even outlets like The Forward have observed that while TikTok deletes "Free Palestine" comments, alternative apps like Rednote (a Chinese offshoot) harbor antisemitism, complicating the landscape.

Human rights groups and journalists, including those from Al Jazeera, have amplified these concerns, framing them as part of a broader assault on press freedom. 

TikTok's new owners have not publicly addressed the Owda ban specifically, but experts warn that if moderation tilts toward suppressing pro-Palestine content, the platform risks losing users to rivals.

Implications for Free Speech and Global Discourse

This controversy underscores the precarious intersection of technology, politics, and media in conflict zones. With Palestinians relying on social media to counter mainstream narratives, platform decisions can effectively silence marginalized voices. 

As New York Magazine pondered, if images from the war are shoved off TikTok, alternative sources may fill the void—but at what cost to balanced discourse?

While TikTok maintains it enforces rules impartially, the timing of these bans—post-US acquisition—fuels skepticism. For Palestinian influencers and journalists, the fight for visibility continues on emerging platforms, highlighting the enduring battle against digital censorship in an increasingly polarized world.