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News India Live, Digital Desk: The year 2026 has started like a nightmare for TikTok, the world’s most popular short-video app. On one hand, ‘American Ownership’ (Joint Venture) deal was signed to save the app from being banned in America, on the other hand, the new privacy policy of the app has scared the users. According to reports, the number of people uninstalling TikTok in the US has increased within just 5 days of the new conditions being implemented. 150% jump Has come.
Reason for controversy: What is there in the new privacy policy?
The new privacy policy issued on January 22, 2026 mentions some conditions which users consider a direct attack on their privacy. According to the policy, TikTok can now collect the following ‘sensitive data’:
personal identification: Racial/Ethnic origin, religious beliefs and political leanings.
Highly Sensitive Information: Sexual orientation, transgender or non-binary status.
Legal Status: Citizenship or Immigration Status.
Financial Data: Information related to bank account and transaction.
Exact Location: Earlier TikTok used to take only approximate location, but now it ‘Precise GPS Location’ Asking for the right to track.
China vs America: Fear did not stop even after change of ownership
TikTok now operates under a joint venture controlled by American investors (such as Oracle and Silver Lake). The company claims that the data will now be stored in the US only, but users believe that by coming out of ‘Chinese control’, the app has now become a weapon of ‘American surveillance’. “If I have to choose between my privacy and content censorship, I would prefer to delete the app.” — Dre Ronayne (popular content creator)
Technical glitches added fuel to the fire
Not only privacy, but technical glitches in the app have also become a major reason for uninstallation:
FYP Reset: The ‘For You’ page of many users suddenly got reset, due to which they stopped seeing the content of their choice.
Upload Failure: Creators have complained that their videos are getting stuck at ‘zero views’ or not being uploaded at all.
Censorship allegations: There are allegations that videos made on anti-government or sensitive issues (like the Jeffrey Epstein case) are being suppressed through algorithms.
Rival apps’ silver: who is benefiting?
Other short-video platforms are directly benefiting from this exodus from TikTok:
UpScrolled: Its downloads have seen an increase of 1000%.
YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels: People are returning to these as they are old reliable options.
Rednote: This app is also becoming increasingly popular among the youth.