Gaza Journalist Bisan Owda regains TikTok account after brief ban

WEB DESK: Gaza-based journalist Bisan Owda, an Emmy Award winner with over 1.4 million TikTok followers, has regained access to her account just one day after announcing it had been permanently deleted.

Owda, known for her reporting on daily life, displacement, and hardships in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict, shared the update on Thursday. She told Al Jazeera that international media attention and advocacy from nongovernmental organizations likely contributed to the rapid reversal.

However, Owda noted that users now need to search for her full username to locate the account, and many of her videos are marked as “ineligible for recommendation,” limiting visibility on the platform.
The account was first reported removed on January 28, 2026, when Owda posted on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) explaining that TikTok had deleted her profile after four years of building it. “TikTok deleted my account. I had 1.4 million followers,” she said, adding that while she expected restrictions, she did not anticipate a permanent ban.

The timing of the ban coincided with recent changes to TikTok’s US operations, prompting discussions about content moderation, particularly for Palestinian voices. Some commentators raised concerns about increased censorship of politically sensitive material, though TikTok has not issued a detailed public explanation for the removal.

A spokesperson for TikTok told media outlets that after review, Owda’s account was reinstated and is now active, though some restrictions remain in place on visibility and recommendations. No new content has appeared on her account since September 2025, but the restoration allows her to continue engaging with her followers.

Owda is a contributor to Al Jazeera’s AJ+ and has received international recognition for her reporting from Gaza. The incident highlights ongoing debates over freedom of expression, access to information, and content moderation on social media, especially in the context of conflict zones.

Owda has vowed to continue sharing stories from Gaza across platforms, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting and global awareness of the humanitarian situation.