TikTok, the wildly popular video sharing platform, has banned a pro-life organization after it shared a video featuring babies’ faces. LiveAction, which enjoys a tremendous following on the China-based social media platform of over 800 million users, has been banned without any reason given.
UPDATE AT 1/31: TikTok has reversed its decision.
Live Action joined the platform last summer and quickly amassed tens of thousands of followers. The 15-second Live Action video TikTok deemed as violating community guidelines featured baby faces, nothing graphic. The pro-life organization wonders if China’s history of population control and forced abortions has anything to do with the decision.
Live Action sent a letter to TikTok asking for an explanation and for their account to be restored. So far, TikTok has not responded to Live Action’s request.
Live Action Director of External Affairs Alison Howard Centofante told LifeNews.com she is very disappointed.
“Live Action joined TikTok in 2019 as part of our ongoing efforts to reach Gen Z and Millennials with the truth about abortion,” she explained. “TikTok has a larger active user base than Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, and Snapchat. Its user base is nearly as big as Instagram. Our innovative, educational videos were hugely popular and grew our following to over 21k followers.”
She complained that, while her group has been banned, pro-abortion videos are allowed to be posted.
“Live Action’s videos shared baby photos and videos and highlighted the illogic of the pro-abortion movement. At the same time, TikTok allows pro-abortion accounts and videos to remain on the platform, videos like this that simulate brutal harm to preborn or born infants,” Centofante said.
Here’s the video that got LiveAction’s account banned:
SIGN THE PETITION! Attention Facebook, Twitter, Google and YouTube: Stop Censoring Pro-Lifers
“Live Action appealed TikTok’s decision to remove one of our videos and within a half hour our account was completely removed on the platform. No more account, no more videos. This is blatant viewpoint discrimination and an egregious attempt to silence pro-life voices. TikTok should reinstate our account in full and allow all voices on the platform,” she added.
TikTok has over 800 million active users and states that their mission is ‘to capture and present the world’s creativity, knowledge, and precious life moments, directly from the mobile phone.’ Live Action reached out to TikTok for clarity on why the account was removed and what community guidelines it violated and has not received a response.
ACTION: Contact TiokTok to complain.
