US takeover sparks 150% surge in TikTok uninstalls

TikTok uninstalls surge in the United States

TikTok is facing a sharp shift in the United States. User deletions jumped by about 150% within just five days, according to Sensor Tower data shared with CNBC. That sudden spike has raised big questions about how people feel about the platform right now.

The surge has not yet caused a massive drop in total U.S. users, but it signals real unease. When uninstall numbers climb this fast, it often points to deeper concerns that go beyond a short-term glitch or passing trend.

Ownership change sparks user backlash

The wave of deletions followed a major ownership change for TikTok in the U.S. Earlier this year, control of its American operations shifted from Chinese parent company ByteDance to a new U.S.-based joint venture.

This move was designed to meet U.S. national security requirements and avoid a potential nationwide ban. Even so, the transition appears to have unsettled many users who were already cautious about how their data might be handled.

Sensitive information alarms users

Parts of the policy that drew attention involved the collection of sensitive personal details. These included demographic data such as racial or ethnic origin, along with information tied to identity and status.

Citizenship, immigration status, and sexual orientation were also mentioned. Even if similar wording had existed before, seeing it highlighted at this moment heightened fears about how deeply user data could be tracked.

Fears of surveillance gain traction

The new U.S.-led structure also fueled worries about domestic surveillance. Some users questioned whether closer ties to American oversight could lead to tighter monitoring of speech and personal information.

Some high-profile creators publicly raised concerns about possible changes in content moderation and the lack of clarity from the new owners.

For example, creator Nadya Okamoto told reporters she and other creators feel uncertain about how the new structure will affect moderation and visibility.

Glitches made experience even worse

At the same time, technical problems hit the app during the transition. Many users said their For You pages felt reset or stopped showing content that matched their interests and habits.

Creators also reported failed uploads, zero-view issues, and broken video processing. In a fast-paced, short-video world, even a few days of frustration can push people to look elsewhere.

Creators struggled with video failures

For people who rely on TikTok to post regularly, the glitches were more than annoying. Some creators said their videos showed zero views or failed to process correctly after upload attempts.

When visibility drops without warning, it can feel like months of work vanish overnight. That uncertainty pushed some creators to pause activity or move their energy to other platforms.

Rivals quickly gained new attention

As TikTok faced backlash, competing apps saw a rise in interest. Many users already had accounts elsewhere, making it easy to switch once their main feed stopped feeling reliable or familiar.

Sensor Tower estimated that U.S. downloads for UpScrolled rose more than tenfold week on week and that other rival apps such as Skylight Social and Rednote recorded significant increases in the same period. Exact figures vary by tracker and outlet.

New US entity takes control

The new operation managing TikTok in the U.S. is called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. It is responsible for handling data protection, algorithm oversight, content moderation, and software security for American users.

U.S. officials also plan to retrain and manage the recommendation algorithm using U.S. user data. The goal is to address long-standing concerns about foreign access to personal information.

Investors now hold major stake

Under the new structure, majority ownership of TikTok’s U.S. business sits with a group of American and global investors. These include Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, which together hold roughly half the shares.

ByteDance still keeps a minority stake, but the balance of control has shifted. This arrangement was designed to satisfy U.S. lawmakers who had raised national security concerns for years.

Privacy prompt triggered massive reaction

The immediate trigger for many deletions was a required in-app prompt. Users had to accept an updated privacy policy, and that brought renewed attention to what kinds of personal data the app may collect.

Although some of the policy language had appeared in earlier versions, its sudden visibility during a sensitive ownership shift made people uneasy. For some, it was enough to finally remove the app.

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Platform strength now faces test

TikTok still has a huge daily user base in the United States, so the platform is far from empty. Yet a 150% jump in uninstalls challenges the idea that the app is impossible to replace.

As privacy worries and technical stability take priority, the coming weeks may show whether this is a short protest or the start of a longer shift.

Curious how big tech plans to power the next chapter? See how Meta is aggressively expanding its AI portfolio to make it happen.

What do you think about TikTok uninstalls surging after the US takeover? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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