The hypocrisy of the West is glaring. They claim to champion free speech, yet they move to ban TikTok under the guise of “protection” and “security.” The truth is far more sinister: TikTok became a platform where the voices of Palestinians resonated with the younger generation, with the vast majority of content overwhelmingly pro-Palestine. This digital awakening among youth posed a direct challenge to the Western narrative and its longstanding support of oppressive regimes.
Rather than addressing this ideological shift, they seek to silence it. They tell us the ban is about protecting data or fighting misinformation, but in reality, it’s about protecting their bottom line and maintaining their hegemony. This is no different from what they criticize in China—claiming platforms like WeChat exist solely to serve the Chinese state’s control. Yet here, when TikTok threatened the power structures and narratives they hold dear, they acted in the exact same way: banning what they couldn’t control.
The ADL itself pointed out that TikTok’s “problem” was the platform’s influence on the younger generation’s understanding of Palestine, framing it as a threat to their ability to control the narrative. This isn’t about protection or freedom—it’s about silencing a platform where Palestine’s truth reached millions. The West’s values of free speech crumble the moment it challenges their narratives or disrupts their power.
Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter under the banner of “free speech” is another example of this hypocrisy. While claiming to restore freedom on the platform, Musk faced intense pressure from powerful interest groups, particularly in the advertising industry. After comments that drew backlash, including about Hamas, Musk quickly pivoted and made a highly symbolic visit to Auschwitz. These actions show the immense influence wielded by Jewish organizations and individuals in shaping the platforms’ narratives. Additionally, on platforms like Meta and X (formerly Twitter), Hindus and Jews hold significant control, further cementing their role in shaping and silencing narratives unfavorable to their interests.