TikTok Censorship Drives Creator to Substack: A Fight for Free Speech

TikTok Demonetizes Creator for Addressing 'Social Issues,' Leading to Substack Migration On May 27, 2025, Justin Moore, a former Goldman Sachs and Google employee known for his outspoken views on social and political issues, announced his demonetization from TikTok. Moore, who goes by the handle @thed3list, stated that TikTok labeled his content as addressing 'social issues,' a designation that resulted in the removal of his monetization privileges. Despite this, his videos continue to garner hundreds of thousands of views. In a recent video, Moore shared his experience, saying, "This is what happens when you speak out about what TikTok calls social issues. I am not a brand-friendly channel, so I've been demonetized." He has since migrated to Substack, a platform he says offers greater freedom of speech and where he can publish longer-form content. "I can't be shadow-banned on Substack," he explained, "because all the stories go straight to your inbox." Moore's move highlights the ongoing debate surrounding censorship and freedom of expression on social media platforms. His Substack page provides a space for continued discussion and deeper analysis of the issues he addresses. The incident has sparked a conversation among creators and viewers alike, raising questions about the balance between platform policies and the rights of content creators.