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What are TikTok’s “Cute winter boots”?
On the surface, TikTokers appear to be sharing safety tips and shopping advice for winter boots. “I see a lot of people on this app making plans to buy cute winter boots,” one user posted, while another advised, “Here’s how to stay safe in your cute winter boots—memorize your First Amendment rights because you’ll need them when you’re out in your boots.”
These references have little to do with fashion. Instead, “cute winter boots” is a euphemism for resistance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and broader governmental policies. By leveraging TikTok’s algorithm, which favors product-focused content, creators have ingeniously used “cute winter boots” as a form of algospeak—coded language that evades algorithmic censorship while spreading messages of activism.
TikTok users are cleverly using the trend “cute winter boots” to resist against U.S. government policies and censorship.
As governments push for tighter controls on online speech, TikTok users have become adept at communicating in code. Terms like “cute winter boots” allow creators to critique policies or discuss sensitive topics without triggering moderation filters.
A related example of algospeak is the phrase “Senator, I’m Singaporean,” derived from TikTok CEO Shou Chew’s response to a senator’s questioning about his nationality. This phrase is now used in comments to warn others about governmental surveillance or potential content censorship.
The subtext of “Cute winter boots”
Many TikTok videos tagged with the trend embed messages of resistance, education, or activism. For example:
TikTok users are cleverly using the trend “cute winter boots” to resist against U.S. government policies and censorship.
Hidden Messages: Some videos hold up handwritten text to avoid AI detection, offering advice on resisting authoritarianism or protecting individuals during ICE raids.Products with a Purpose: TikTok shop links, ostensibly promoting boots, often redirect users to items like protest gear or books such as Night by Elie Wiesel.
Pop Culture Cloaks: Phrases like “Taylor Swift,” “Bridgerton,” or “anime” are inserted to expand the reach of these videos, relying on the algorithm’s preference for trending topics.
In some instances, “cute winter boots” even serves as a metaphor for firearms, with phrases like “You need cute winter boots so you don’t slip on ice” interpreted as advocating for constitutional rights, including gun ownership.
The trend has drawn criticism from conservative creators, some of whom have openly revealed its hidden meanings. A popular MAGA influencer accused liberals of plotting a “revolution” under the guise of this coded phrase. Yet, those participating in the trend remain undeterred, seeing it as a necessary tool in an increasingly restrictive digital landscape.
Creators fear that TikTok’s guidelines may soon shift further toward appeasing government interests, especially if a U.S.-based company acquires the app. Many worry this could make critical discourse nearly impossible. “TikTok users are smart. They’ve been speaking in code for years, and they’re preparing for a future where speech might be even more constrained,” explained Diana, a TikTok creator and admin of the urban planning account @/citiesbydiana.
A movement disguised as a trend
The “cute winter boots” trend is more than a fleeting moment of social media creativity—it’s a testament to the ingenuity of online communities in the face of censorship. By disguising activism as harmless chatter, TikTokers have found a way to amplify their voices, educate their audience, and resist restrictions.
Whether this strategy will withstand the test of time and increasing scrutiny remains to be seen. For now, the trend underscores the evolving ways in which people leverage digital platforms to resist, educate, and adapt in an era of surveillance.
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