Influencers Lose TikTok Accounts After Promoting Controversial Russian Program

Several popular South African influencers, including Cyan Boujee and Seemah, have lost access to their TikTok accounts after promoting a controversial work-study program in Russia that many believe targets young women.

The situation unfolded after the South African government confirmed it was investigating these influencers for advertising the “Start Program” in Russia. Social media users quickly took action, reporting the influencers’ TikTok accounts for promoting what they saw as possible human exploitation.

After we reported the influencers accounts under “human exploitation” for promoting the Start Program in Russia…

TikTok banned their accounts 🤭 pic.twitter.com/Bv93sBKz3D

— Paballo Maseko❄️ (@Paballo_maseko_) August 27, 2025

On Wednesday, 27 August 2025, a user on X (formerly Twitter), @Paballo_maseko_, shared the news that TikTok had banned the accounts of Cyan Boujee, Seemah, and others. “After we reported the influencers’ accounts under ‘human exploitation’ for promoting the Start Program in Russia, TikTok banned their accounts ,” the user wrote.

Seemah lost a TikTok account with 2.8 million followers, while Cyan Boujee’s 1.8 million-follower account was also taken down. Another influencer, Sibongile Kajane, was also banned. The user urged others to continue reporting, saying, “Let’s report the others. Aya Langa and a few still remain, but we need to get them.”

Though both Cyan Boujee and Seemah had apologized for promoting the program, many South Africans were not satisfied. They feared that the Start Program might be linked to human trafficking or exploitation. As of now, it’s unclear whether these TikTok bans are permanent or temporary. None of the affected influencers have released statements yet, but they are expected to request reviews from TikTok.

In the comments under the original post, many users praised the action taken against the influencers. Others showed mixed feelings, calling for forgiveness.

One user, @iamchris_TK, said: “They’ll try to threaten you with court orders & even something worse. Keep your chin up & keep all the receipts. Somebody’s life is saved out there because of you. You’ve done a good job.”

Another, @moroaswi, said: “I contributed for their accounts to be banned. I reported them and I had to do so. But I love them so much… I was left with no choice. We have sisters.”

@Ihearyou added: “The fact that some people take this lightly worries me. Human trafficking is real… it’s not the same as selling your ass kwiclubs.”

Still, not everyone agreed. @DSaprais58500 commented: “Y’all are going for their bag. With this high unemployment, I think they learned their lesson. Forgive them.”

The story remains under development as people wait to see if TikTok will restore the banned accounts or if the influencers will face more serious consequences.