TikTok censors the word "Epstein".

[Cattledog]

Officials at TikTok say they are looking into why many users have been unable to send the word "Epstein" in direct messages, an issue that garnered widespread attention on social media Monday and prompted California Gov. Gavin Newsom to announce an inquiry into the matter.

It comes just days after TikTok finalized a sale that gave a consortium of mostly American investors control of TikTok's business in the U.S, a deal that averted a nationwide ban of the app over national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent company.

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/27/nx-s1-5689104/tiktok-epstein-direct-messages

[EYESORE 9001]

1. At first glance, it seems easy to circumvent this

which would reveal whether they’ve blacklisted variations like hepstein or repstein or schlepstein.

[SheltieLover]

2. Trumpstein?

[EYESORE 9001]

4. Yeah, that works!

That’s one way to see how much effort they’ve put into this charade.

[SheltieLover]

6. Trumpedostein

Hell we could go all day with variations... scRotustein? Repukestein, etc., etc., etc.

[SheltieLover]

15. How about TACOstein?

LookinIvanascasketstein?

[GreenWave]

10. Followed by trumplovesepstein once the other gets censored.

[SheltieLover]

13. pedotrumpepsteinpartnership?

lots of choices...

[RANDYWILDMAN]

5. you should not have too

from a company worth billions supposedly promoting free speech social interactions...

Social media sure has a stifling effect on free and open communication ??

[Stargleamer]

3. There are other Epsteins. . .

George Harrison: "MBE stands for Mr. Brian Epstein." Brian Epstein believed in the Beatles, besides managing them.

It seems like overkill to not allow Epstein anymore, it's a rather common name.

[SheltieLover]

14. But obviously, quite a threat to the pedo protectors and their ilk

[DoBW]

7. alternative

UpScrolled, a new social media platform that says it does not shadowban or censor users, ranks No. 12 on Apple’s app store among free apps, one spot above TikTok.

— Forbes (@forbes.com) 2026-01-26T20:35:04Z

alternative

TikTokers are heading to UpScrolled following US takeover

— The Verge (@theverge.com) 2026-01-26T17:50:01.812Z

[AloeVera]

8. Other words will follow....

TikTok is a tool of the oligarchs and empire-managers now.

[kacekwl]

9. How about convicted

Pedophile. Will that work.

[Kid Berwyn]

11. In appreciation of the Traitor-Pedophile Trump

The guy sure is eh appreciated.

[Maru Kitteh]

12. Yap! It's a MYSTERY.