Hajra Naz
The movement to boycott TikTok in Saudi Arabia has gained strength following accusations of the platform unjustly censoring and banning Saudi accounts expressing positive views about the Kingdom. Concerns over alleged algorithm manipulation and biased treatment on TikTok have fueled outrage among Saudi users, prompting a surge in support for the boycott.
Many users have opted for alternative social platforms to voice their dissatisfaction with TikTok’s alleged suppression of pro-Saudi content. The hashtag #BoycottTiktok is trending, accompanied by posts encouraging Saudis to uninstall the app. @ayedarini, a user, urged a boycott, claiming TikTok is waging a “war against us” by targeting Saudi accounts and promoting content against the country.
@X_Tiktok_, a dedicated profile advocating for TikTok’s ban in the Kingdom, posted strong disapproval of the platform’s “unacceptable” and “abusive” behavior. The post pledged to persist in the campaign against TikTok, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia remains a red line and its people stand firm in defending their country, religion, and leadership.
Celebrities and prominent social media users have joined the work, utilizing their sizable fan bases to get the message out and motivate others to partake in the boycott. The private sector has also felt the effects. According to claims published by the Asharq Al-Awsat in November, the Saudi Arabian professional football second division broke off its relationship with TikTok over purported anti-Saudi content actions.
