{"id":13329,"date":"2026-01-28T12:55:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T09:55:38","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-01-28T12:55:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T09:55:38","slug":"tiktok-restructures-us-ownership-and-tightens-rules-on-zionist-rhetoric","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harici.com.tr\/en\/tiktok-restructures-us-ownership-and-tightens-rules-on-zionist-rhetoric\/","title":{"rendered":"TikTok restructures US ownership and tightens rules on Zionist rhetoric"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a strategic move to preempt<\/a><\/span> a potential nationwide ban in the US, the social media platform TikTok restructured its ownership hierarchy on January 23.<\/p>\n

Following intensifying pressure from the Washington administration regarding the platform’s control, management, and content moderation processes, the company\u2019s majority stake has been transitioned into a structure rooted in US capital.<\/p>\n

As a cornerstone of this transition, the establishment of TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC has effectively moved the platform’s US operations entirely under the jurisdiction of local management and oversight mechanisms.<\/p>\n

“Zionist” expression classified as hate speech<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to statements by the new CEO, Adam Presser, the platform has significantly updated its content policies regarding the use of the term “Zionist.”<\/p>\n

Presser specified that the term will now be classified directly as “hate speech” if it is used for the purposes of insult, disparagement, or targeting.<\/p>\n

Conversely, the use of the word within a political context or for personal identity\u2014such as the positive affirmation “I am a proud Zionist”\u2014remains permitted under the revised rules.<\/p>\n

Presser stated clearly that censorship mechanisms will be triggered if the word is deployed as a “slur” or a derogatory epithet.<\/p>\n

“No finish line” in content moderation<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a video released by the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Presser described the activities conducted under the banner of combating hate speech as an indefinite process.<\/p>\n

Noting that the number of accounts closed for “hateful activity” has tripled, Presser revealed that more than 20 Jewish organizations are providing the platform with continuous intelligence and information.<\/p>\n

Emphasizing that these institutions coordinate with TikTok to identify trends in rule violations, the CEO highlighted the open-ended nature of these censorship policies, stating, “There is no finish line for moderating hate speech or identifying hate trends. There is no such thing as a final goal.”<\/p>\n

Former Israeli soldier appointed to lead moderation policy<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most notable steps in TikTok\u2019s content moderation strategy involves its recent personnel appointments.<\/p>\n

In July last year, the platform\u2019s US division appointed Erica Mindel\u2014a former Israeli soldier who describes herself as a “proud Zionist”\u2014as Head of Hate Speech Public Policy.<\/p>\n

With this move, the process of defining and enforcing content rules has been entrusted to an individual with a background in the Israeli military, known for pro-Israel advocacy and experience in anti-Semitism policies within the US.<\/p>\n

“Digital Iron Dome” and the control of the Gaza narrative<\/strong><\/p>\n

The shift in TikTok\u2019s ownership and content moderation policies aligns with a strategic framework that Israeli officials have termed the “eighth front.”<\/p>\n

This approach, dubbed the “Digital Iron Dome,” aims to control the digital narrative surrounding developments in Gaza and reduce the visibility of war crime allegations against Israel.<\/p>\n

The activities carried out under this strategy include:<\/p>\n