TikTok faces backlash over alleged censorship of ‘Epstein’ in US DMs; internet calls it ‘dirty move’

TikTok accused of censoring “Epstein” in DMs. (Image credit: Reuters)

• TikTok now blocks the word "Epstein" in US DMs, but not in the UK or elsewhere
• Users report video issues and censorship after TikTok's US ownership change
• Trump-backed investors now control TikTok's US operations in a new joint venture.

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TikTok users have raised concerns shortly after the app's operations were handed to a group of investors backed by Donald Trump under a US-China deal. Several users complained that their videos were stuck, views had dropped, and certain words, such as “Epstein,” were blocked in DMs.

In an X post, Pop Base reported that TikTok has begun filtering the word “Epstein” in DMs for users in the US, while the word remains unblocked in the UK and other parts of the world.

TikTok now censors the word “Epstein” when mentioned in DMs by users in the U.S.

Currently, the word is not being filtered for users in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. pic.twitter.com/XA1Kye6mIq — Pop Base (@PopBase) January 27, 2026

In a recent press release, TikTok said a new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, would ensure the app remains available in the United States. “The company will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances for U.S. users."

The deal allows ByteDance to hold a 19.9 per cent ownership in TikTok’s US business, which will be managed by a seven-member board.

In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump said he saved the platform. “It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice. Along with other factors, it was responsible for my doing so well with the Youth Vote in the 2024 Presidential Election. I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok,” he said.

Reports of TikTok censoring the word Epstein drew criticism on social media, with users reacting sharply to Pop Base's post.

One user asked, “If TikTok is filtering 'Epstein' in U.S. DMs, they owe users an explanation and a published keyword policy. Why is the U.S. singled out, and what else is being quietly blocked? Platforms shouldn’t be editing private speech in the dark.”

Another X user wrote, “The more Donald Trump tries to bury the Epstein files, the more we're going to demand their release. His latest war crimes in America and Minnesota aren't going to distract us. And neither will his censorship campaigns. Release the Trump Epstein files!”

A third one commented, “TikTok straight-up blocking 'Epstein' in U.S. DMs? Weird flex for an app that pushes endless dance vids & thirst traps, but draws the line at one dude’s name. Bet those new owners got some logs they’d rather not discuss. Dirty move.”