Users on TikTok searching for “WGA” are met with a screen claiming that the phrase “may be associated with behavior or content that violates our guidelines.” No videos return. Users are also unable to search for the “WGA” hashtag.

TikTok has also blocked the search term “WGA strike.”

Additionally, it appears that TikTok is blocking results from any simple search that includes “WGA” in the search term. Including “WGA” in addition to another word — like “WGA support” or “WGA strong” — blocks results.

Update (9/11/23): A TikTok spokesperson told Media Matters that “WGA has been inadvertently blocked as part of the platforms’ protections against QAnon conspiracy theories.” (WWG1WGA is a common QAnon phrase.) The spokesperson added that searches for “Writers Guild of America” and “Writers Guild of America Strike” were not impacted. Searches for “WGA” and related terms now appear to function normally.

(Thanks mike591, SCB, crowsby, and others for putting in the comments)

  • crowsby@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    134
    ·
    1 year ago

    Update (9/11/23): A TikTok spokesperson told Media Matters that “WGA has been inadvertently blocked as part of the platforms’ protections against QAnon conspiracy theories.” Searches for “WGA” and related terms now appear to function normally.

    • MoogleMaestro@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      ·
      1 year ago

      This is good to know and I’m glad to hear.

      As an aside, do we have a system for OP to pin this comment to the top? This context is pretty important.

    • Syrc@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      The spokesperson added that searches for “Writers Guild of America” and “Writers Guild of America Strike” were not impacted.

      Ok, if that’s true I can believe that.

    • Sinthesis@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      arrow-down
      13
      ·
      1 year ago

      BULLSHIT. China doesn’t want their citizens witnessing workforce strikes; especially ones where the celebrities striking are on Chinese TVs and movie screens.

      • Quokka@quokk.au
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        9
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        Chinese people aren’t on TikTok.

        They’re on Douyin and sand boxed away from any of that Western democracy and freedom concepts.

        • GodlessCommie@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          arrow-down
          3
          ·
          1 year ago

          freedom concepts

          Thats funny, There are no concepts of freedom in the US unless you are wealthy