Social media platforms are hubs for political discussions. However, users on Instagram and TikTok are now raising concerns about censorship.
Reports are emerging that certain political hashtags are being blocked or restricted. This issue is sparking heated debates online about freedom of speech and the role of platforms in moderating content.
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One Instagram user recently shared a screenshot showing their search results for “#Democrat.” The result displayed the message: “We’ve hidden these results.”
Another user commented that the same message appeared when they searched for “#Kamala.” These reports come amid questions about recent changes to Meta’s policies and their impact on content visibility.
Meta introduced new settings last year that automatically restrict some content. Users must manually adjust their account settings if they want full access. If the “Sensitive Content Control” is enabled, specific hashtags and search results could be filtered without users realizing it.
Meta responds to criticism
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone addressed the issue on Threads, writing, “There’s an issue affecting people’s ability to search for a number of different hashtags on Instagram—not just those on the left. We’re working quickly to resolve this.”
The controversy follows criticism of Meta’s broader moderation policies on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Recent changes to reduce moderation have left users questioning the transparency of the company’s policies.
Trump signs executive order on censorship
Adding to the debate, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday, Jan. 20, targeting what he called “government censorship” online. The order aims to “secure the right of the American people to engage in constitutionally protected speech.” It also directs the attorney general to investigate past efforts to moderate speech that may have infringed on free speech rights and recommend remedial actions.
The White House stated that the order protects the First Amendment and ensures a free society.
Similar issues on TikTok
Meanwhile, TikTok users are reporting similar problems. A user shared screenshots comparing search results for “Donald Trump rigged election” across different countries.
In the U.K., the search yielded videos. However, in the U.S., users received a pop-up message saying, “No results found.” Canadian users also reported the same issue, raising questions about potential regional filtering.
Censorship debate continues
Users point to potential political influence from the new White House administration as a possible factor in these restrictions. However, a TikTok spokesperson told Newsweek, “The platform’s policies and algorithms have not changed.”
