TikTok Permanently Removed Bisan Owda’s 1.4M-Follower Account — Journalist Links Ban To U.S. Ownership Changes

Award-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda says TikTok permanently removed her account, which had 1.4 million followers built over four years. Owda shared the removal in a video posted to her Instagram and X accounts from Gaza, and Al Jazeera has contacted TikTok for an explanation.

What Owda Says

In the video, Owda said: “TikTok deleted my account. I had 1.4 million followers there, and I have been building that platform for four years.” She added that she had expected temporary restrictions, not a permanent ban.

Visible Account Notices

Hours after Owda posted her message, a profile using the same username was still visible on TikTok with a notice reading: “Posts that some may find uncomfortable are unavailable.” The last visible post on that account was dated September 20, 2025 — several weeks before a ceasefire was reached in the conflict in Gaza.

Possible Reasons Cited

Owda suggested the timing of the ban may relate to recent public comments and policy shifts. She pointed to remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in a September meeting with pro-Israel influencers said he hoped a proposed TikTok purchase “goes through” and described social media as an important battleground. The article quotes those comments as context; they are attributed to Netanyahu and reported by multiple outlets.

Owda also shared an undated clip of Adam Presser, the newly installed CEO of TikTok’s U.S. arm. In that clip, Presser — who previously led U.S. operations for the company — says the platform has clarified that “the use of the term Zionist as a proxy for a protected attribute” is treated as hate speech, and that moderating hateful content is an ongoing challenge.

Ownership Changes At TikTok

Last week, TikTok announced a deal to establish a separate U.S. version of the platform. The new entity will be controlled by investment firms, many based in the United States; some investors have reported ties to U.S. political figures, including individuals linked to former President Donald Trump. Critics and observers have debated whether such ownership changes could affect moderation decisions and the platform’s treatment of political content.

Owda’s Public Profile And Context

Owda rose to prominence by posting daily videos from Gaza, often opening with the line, “It’s Bisan From Gaza — and I’m still alive.” She produced an AJ+ documentary of the same name that won an Emmy in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category in 2024.

Press Freedom And Safety Concerns

Owda’s announcement comes amid ongoing concerns about journalists’ safety and access in Gaza. Israel’s top court recently postponed a ruling on whether foreign journalists should be permitted to enter Gaza and report independently of the Israeli military. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 207 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since October 2023; the CPJ reports that the majority of those deaths have been attributed to Israeli forces.

Response And Next Steps

Al Jazeera has said it has contacted TikTok seeking clarification about Owda’s account status and is awaiting a reply. TikTok has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the account removal at the time of reporting. Observers say the case highlights broader questions about content moderation, platform ownership, and the safety of local journalists in conflict zones.