People are noticing word that's now censored on TikTok in US after deal went through to separate the company

TikTok is reportedly investigating why users aren't able to send a name in direct messages after facing backlash and even a 'review' from the Governor of California.

On Thursday (January 22), TikTok announced in a shared statement it had finalized a deal with major investors including MGX, Oracle and Silver Lake to form a new TikTok US joint venture.

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC detailed its 'mandate' as being 'to secure US user data, apps and the algorithm through comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity measures'.

"It will safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem through robust trust and safety policies and content moderation while ensuring continuous accountability through transparency reporting and third-party certifications," the announcement added.

US President Donald Trump praised the deal, taking to Truth Social to weigh in that he was 'so happy to have helped in saving' the platform, commending it for now being 'owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors' - a U-turn given his initial backing to have the app banned during his first term in office.

However, since the deal went through, some social media users have found they can't send direct messages with one particular word in - 'Epstein'.

What TikTok users are saying

One user took to X to write: "So the agreement for tiktok to sell its US business to GOP backed investors was finalized a few days ago. and now you can’t mention epstein lmao."

"After Trump's allies took over TikTok this week, any mention of 'Epstein' in DMs are not permitted. Here's proof. Anyone else is free to try it," another added.

Indeed, several screenshots reveal some users trying to send a direct message containing the word 'Epstein,' but the message not being sent, a notification popping up to say it may be in violation of TikTok's community guidelines to 'protect our community'.

However, some users did voice being able to include the convicted sex offender's last name in their messages and them sending.

And even Governor Gavin Newsom, the 40th Governor of California, took to the platform to announce he would be 'launching a review into whether TikTok is violating state law by censoring Trump-critical content'.

"It's time to investigate," he stated.

Others have pointed out connections between Larry Ellison - who runs Oracle - and Trump, the pair reported as being close allies. And the web simply continues with Trump having been tied to the convicted sex offender. And TikTok's US operation has since responded.

TikTok's response

A spokesperson for TikTok's US operation told NPR: "We don't have rules against sharing the name 'Epstein' in direct messages and are investigating why some users are experiencing issues."

TikTok USDS Joint Venture took to X on January 26 to add it was also experiencing technological issues as a result of a 'power outage'.

It said: "Since yesterday we’ve been working to restore our services following a power outage at a U.S. data center impacting TikTok and other apps we operate. We're working with our data center partner to stabilize our service. We're sorry for this disruption and hope to resolve it soon."

TikTok USDS Joint Venture told UNILAD: "A power outage at one of our U.S.-based data centers caused a service disruption and is continuing to impact the experience of our U.S. community

"We're working with our data center partner to stabilize our service and bring back the full TikTok experience our U.S. users know and love.

"Our policies are publicly available, govern all of our content moderation decisions and have not changed."