Call for TikTok Ban in US Renewed as Officials Accuse Platform of Being Anti-Israel

The TikTok ban call in the U.S. has been renewed by American officials and other critics. They claim that the short video platform's content has a pro-Palestine slant.

TikTok Ban Call in US Renewed as Officials Accuse Platform of Being Anti-Israel

(Photo: JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP via Getty Images) A supporter of Israel holds an Israeli flag in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, on October 8, 2023, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an assault on Israel. Israel, reeling from the deadliest attack on its territory in half a century, formally declared war on Hamas Sunday.

Conservative activists, tech investors, as well as members of Congress, said that this issue is undercutting support for Israel, which could further influence young Americans.

US Officials Calling for TikTok Ban Again

According to NBC News' latest report, TikTok has been facing criticism for the past years. Originally, the social media app was being criticized because of its linkage to the Chinese government.

Now, TikTok is facing another issue because of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Critics accuse the social media giant of using its content to influence Americans to be pro-Palestine.

They explained that the platform being anti-Israel is concerning since what TikTok is doing is against the foreign policy interests of the United States.

But, TikTok claimed that the allegations made by members of Congress and other critics are "baseless." This was also backed by some social media experts, who said that the performance of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel content depends on what data is looked at.

For example, if you check the international trends, #standwithpalestine and other pro-Palestine hashtags are more popular. But, if critics look only at the U.S. data of TikTok, they can see that pro-Israel content is performing better than videos supporting Palestine.

Despite experts' explanations, critics are still calling for the U.S. government to ban TikTok as the Israel-Hamas war worsens.

"When I engaged with one post on TikTok supporting opposing views, my entire feed became aggressively anti-Israel," explained Jeff Morris Jr., a tech venture capitalist.

TikTok Also Criticized by Europe

(Photo: STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
This photo illustration shows the TikTok logo reflected in an image of the US flag, in Washington, DC, on March 16, 2023. - China urged the United States to stop "unreasonably suppressing" TikTok on March 16, 2023, after Washington gave the popular video-sharing app an ultimatum to part ways with its Chinese owners or face a nationwide ban.

Aside from the United States, CNBC reported that European regulators are also criticizing TikTok for its content about the Israel-Hamas war.

European regulator Thierry Breton sent a letter to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. He said that the platform is being used to spread illegal content and disinformation about the war in the Middle East.

"You have a particular obligation to protect them from violent content depicting hostage-taking and other graphic videos," said Breton to the TikTok CEO.

The platform's spokesperson said that the social media giant received Breton's letter and will soon provide its response. You can click here to learn more about this issue.