TikTok's Apology: A Massive Glitch Rolls Through US Users!

TikTok’s new US ownership has issued an apology to its users following a massive disruption that left over 600,000 American users reporting issues with the app over a single weekend. According to platform monitor Downdetector, complaints included videos looping on the “For You” feed, missing content, and brand new posts receiving zero views. TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, now overseeing TikTok’s operations in the nation, cited a power outage at a US data center as the cause of these widespread problems, emphasizing that they are actively collaborating with their data center partner to stabilize services.

Despite the assurances from TikTok, the incidents sparked speculation among users about whether these glitches were linked to the app’s new ownership or potential alterations in the algorithm governing the feed. Complaints peaked over the weekend, with users expressing their frustrations on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), indicating that TikTok’s performance had been sluggish and inconsistent. Issues with the CapCut video editing app, also owned by TikTok, were prevalent, with users facing similar glitches.

TikTok users reported significant frustrations, noting difficulties in accessing creator tools critical for monitoring advertising revenues and visibility for their uploaded videos. In light of a recent agreement involving Oracle, TikTok’s US data center partner, comment on the outage has yet to be provided.

As Oracle assumes a pivotal role in managing TikTok’s operation under a new deal keeping the app alive in the US, they are also preparing to retrain a specific version of TikTok’s algorithm for better compliance with local usage. This incident underlines the challenges that arise during transitions in ownership and operational management, leaving users anxious about future changes.