TikTok and Users' Conspiracy: Debunking the Myths

Separating Fact from Fiction: An In-Depth Look at the Latest TikTok Conspiracy Theories

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The Voice Media
January 20, 2025

TikTok and Users' Conspiracy: Debunking the Myths

Introduction

TikTok has always been a hotspot for trends, entertainment, and, occasionally, controversy. Recently, a video by TikTok creator @jddelay5150 claimed that TikTok's source code had been moved to Facebook's infrastructure. This sparked a wave of conspiracy theories across the platform. Intrigued by the claim, we at The Voice Media decided to investigate and separate fact from fiction. Here's what we discovered.

Img: Alamy

Investigating the Claims: Where is TikTok's Code Hosted?

To verify the claims, we analyzed the network requests made by TikTok's website and app. The domains responsible for delivering TikTok's content include:

We also examined the associated IP addresses and traced their ownership. Most of the servers belong to Akamai Technologies, TikTok’s content delivery network, with some associated with Fastly, another prominent CDN provider.

When compared to IP ranges used by Facebook (e.g., 157.240.241.1, 31.13.71.1), there was no overlap. Additionally, a WHOIS lookup confirmed that TikTok's infrastructure remains distinct and separate from Facebook's. These findings disprove any claims of TikTok’s source code being hosted or moved to Facebook's servers.

Why Can’t Users Go Live on TikTok?

Many users have pointed to TikTok’s technical issues, such as the inability to go live, as evidence supporting the conspiracy. However, our investigation revealed legitimate reasons for these challenges:

  • App Store Absence: TikTok temporarily disappeared from major app stores in certain jurisdictions, affecting in-app purchase functionalities. Since features like TikTok Live rely heavily on these purchases, the service became unavailable for U.S. users during this time.

  • Censorship Concerns: Some users reported the removal of hashtags like #TikTokBan or alleged auto-populated search results for terms like “Facebook” or “Meta.” We tested these claims and found no evidence to support them. TikTok's search suggestions are influenced by prior viewing behavior, not preloaded bias.

  • Sensitive Search Filters: When searching for terms like “negro” (black in Spanish) or “Nazi,” TikTok provided either a “no results” message or a “Get the Facts” screen. These responses align with TikTok’s policies to filter sensitive or potentially harmful content.

How Conspiracies Gain Traction

Conspiracies like this thrive on selective storytelling. Influencers present fragmented pieces of information, leading viewers to form their own (often incorrect) conclusions. For instance:

  • Claims that TikTok's CEO removed "CEO" from their bio were false; it was never there to begin with.

  • Assertions that Facebook created a verified TikTok account as part of a buyout ignore the possibility that this could be a marketing strategy.

  • Major corporate mergers, especially involving companies like Facebook and TikTok, require approval from bodies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). No such filings or announcements exist.

The truth is, conspiracy influencers rely on incomplete information, guiding audiences to form narratives that fit their agenda. Always question the puzzle pieces you’re given and seek out the missing parts before drawing conclusions.

Conclusion

Our investigation revealed no evidence of TikTok being sold to Facebook or its infrastructure being moved. The issues users experienced, such as TikTok Live outages or search restrictions, have logical explanations tied to app functionality and company policies.

As a user, it's crucial to approach such claims critically. Verify the facts, question the sources, and consider the broader context. At The Voice Media, we remain committed to providing clear, fact-based reporting to help you navigate the noise.

Written by The Voice Media Team.

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