TikTok Controversy Over Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America'

The social media platform faces backlash as videos sharing parts of the terrorist leader's 2002 letter spark widespread debate and criticism.

Recent TikTok videos have sparked controversy as they share parts of Osama bin Laden's 2002 'Letter to America', leading to a surge in online discussions and debates.
The videos have been criticized by 9/11 families and the White House, who have called the sympathy for bin Laden 'appalling' and an 'insult' to the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
The Guardian, which had published the full text of the letter in 2002, removed it from its website, citing that it was being 'widely shared on social media without the full context'.
TikTok has started removing content elevating bin Laden's letter, stating that it 'clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism'.
Despite the controversy, far-right lawmakers and influencers have used the renewed interest in bin Laden to spread conspiracy theories about 9/11 and push their own anti-China agenda.