TikTok App

2022-08-28T09:52:53Z

2401:4900:36BE:29FC:6DBC:C66C:92B2:9713: /* See also */

{{short description|Video-sharing service}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox software
| title = TikTok<br>Douyin
| name = TikTok
| logo =
| screenshot =
| screenshot size = 200
| caption =
| developer = [[ByteDance]]
| released = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2016|5}} 
| discontinued = No
| latest release version = 15.5.0
| latest release date = 31 March 2020
| operating system = [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| size = 308.3 MB (iOS)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/app/tiktok-real-short-videos/id835599320?mt=8|title=TikTok – Real Short Videos|website=App Store|access-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608072028/https://itunes.apple.com/app/tiktok-real-short-videos/id835599320?mt=8|archive-date=8 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
<br />55.21 MB (Android)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.android.ugc.trill|title=TikTok|website=Play Store|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626182744/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.android.ugc.trill|archive-date=26 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| language = Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Cambodian, Cebuano, Czech, Dutch, English, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Javanese, Kannada, Korean, Malay, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
| language count = 40
| language footnote = <ref name="tunes">{{cite web|title=TikTok - Make Your Day|url=https://itunes.apple.com/app/tiktok-real-short-videos/id835599320|work=[[iTunes]]|access-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503083727/https://itunes.apple.com/app/tiktok-real-short-videos/id835599320|archive-date=3 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| genre = [[Video hosting service|Video sharing]]
| license = [[Proprietary software]] with [https://www.tiktok.com/legal/terms-of-use Terms of Use]
| website = {{URL|https://www.tiktok.com|tiktok.com}}<br />{{URL|https://www.douyin.com|douyin.com}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|title=Douyin
|c=抖音
|p=Dǒuyīn
|mi={{IPAc-cmn|d|ou|3|.|yin|1}}
|l="vibrating sound"
}}
'''TikTok''', known in China as '''Douyin''' is a [[Online video platform|video-sharing]] [[social networking service]] owned by Chinese company [[ByteDance]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Isaac|first=Mike|date=2020-10-08|title=U.S. Appeals Injunction Against TikTok Ban|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/technology/us-appeals-injunction-against-tiktok-ban.html|access-date=2020-10-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The social media platform is used to make a variety of short-form videos, from genres like dance, comedy, and education, that have a duration from 15 seconds to one minute (three minutes for some users).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/technology/2018/09/tiktok-app-musically-guide.html |title=A Guide to TikTok for Anyone Who Isn't a Teen |last=Schwedel |first=Heather |date=4 September 2018 |website=Slate Magazine |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321115418/https://slate.com/technology/2018/09/tiktok-app-musically-guide.html |archive-date=21 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Al-Heeti |first1=Abrar |title=TikTok is reportedly experimenting with 3-minute videos |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/tiktok-is-reportedly-experimenting-with-longer-three-minute-videos/ |access-date=15 December 2020 |publisher=CNET |date=2020-12-02}}</ref> TikTok is an international version of Douyin, which was originally released in the Chinese market in September 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TikTok, WeChat and the growing digital divide between the US and China|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2020/09/22/tiktok-wechat-and-the-growing-digital-divide-between-the-u-s-and-china/|access-date=2020-10-12|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111194424/https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/22/tiktok-wechat-and-the-growing-digital-divide-between-the-u-s-and-china/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, TikTok was launched in 2017 for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] in most markets outside of [[mainland China]]; however, it only became available worldwide after merging with another Chinese social media service, [[Musical.ly]], on 2 August 2018.

TikTok and Douyin have almost the same user interface but no access to each other's content. Their servers are each based in the market where the respective app is available.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanhatesthis/forget-the-trade-war-tiktok-is-chinas-most-important-export |title=Forget The Trade War. TikTok Is China's Most Important Export Right Now. |date=16 May 2019 |work=BuzzFeed News |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524023340/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanhatesthis/forget-the-trade-war-tiktok-is-chinas-most-important-export |archive-date=24 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The two products are similar, but features are not identical. Douyin includes an in-video search feature that can search by people's face for more videos of them and other features such as buying, booking hotels and making geo-tagged reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Niewenhuis|first=Lucas|date=2019-09-25|title=The difference between TikTok and Douyin|url=https://supchina.com/2019/09/25/the-difference-between-tiktok-and-douyin/|access-date=2020-10-12|website=SupChina|language=en-US}}</ref> Since its launch in 2016, TikTok/Douyin rapidly gained popularity in [[East Asia]], [[South Asia]], [[Southeast Asia]], the United States, Turkey, Russia, and other parts of the world.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mohsin |first1=Maryam |title=10 TikTok Statistics That You Need to Know in 2020 [Infographic] |url=https://www.oberlo.com/blog/tiktok-statistics#5_TikTok_Usage_by_Country |website=oberlo.com |access-date=27 May 2020 |date=17 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205041457/https://www.oberlo.com/blog/tiktok-statistics#5_TikTok_Usage_by_Country |archive-date=5 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=50 TikTok Stats That Will Blow Your Mind [Updated 2020] |url=https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-stats/ |website=Influencer Marketing Hub |access-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604073536/https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-stats/ |archive-date=4 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=RouteBot |title=Top 10 Countries with the Largest Number of TikTok Users |url=https://www.brandsynario.com/tik-tok-download/ |website=routenote.com |access-date=27 May 2020 |date=21 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220043546/https://www.brandsynario.com/tik-tok-download/ |archive-date=20 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> As of October 2020, TikTok surpassed over 2 billion mobile downloads worldwide.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|date=2019-01-11|title=50 TikTok Stats That Will Blow Your Mind in 2020 [UPDATED ]|url=https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-stats/|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Influencer Marketing Hub|language=en-US|archive-date=4 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604073536/https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-stats/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Carman|first=Ashley|date=2020-04-29|title=TikTok reaches 2 billion downloads|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/29/21241788/tiktok-app-download-numbers-update-2-billion-users|access-date=2020-10-12|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729003408/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/29/21241788/tiktok-app-download-numbers-update-2-billion-users|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2020年春季报告：抖音用户规模达5.18亿人次，女性用户占比57%|url=https://games.sina.cn/cyfw/cyxw/2020-04-22/detail-iirczymi7765035.d.html|language=zh|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023650/https://games.sina.cn/cyfw/cyxw/2020-04-22/detail-iirczymi7765035.d.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://datareportal.com/social-media-users|title=GLOBAL SOCIAL MEDIA OVERVIEW|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806235517/https://datareportal.com/social-media-users|url-status=live}}</ref>

Vanessa Pappas is the CEO of TikTok, having assumed the position following the resignation of Kevin A. Mayer on 27 August 2020.<ref>{{cite news |author= |url=https://fortune.com/2020/08/27/tiktok-ceo-kevin-mayer-quits-us-sale |title=TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer quits after 4 months |work=Fortune (magazine) |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=27 August 2020 |access-date=27 August 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Steven |last=Zeitchik |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/18/kevin-mayer-disney-tiktok/ |title=In surprise move, a top Disney executive will run TikTok |work=The Washington Post |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625210032/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/18/kevin-mayer-disney-tiktok/ |archive-date=25 June 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-28|title=Australian appointed interim chief executive of TikTok|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-28/australian-vanessa-pappas-appointed-tiktok-interim-ceo/12606814|access-date=2020-10-15|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}</ref> On 3 August 2020, US President [[Donald Trump]] threatened to ban TikTok in the United States on 15 September if negotiations for the company to be bought by [[Microsoft]] or a different "very American" company failed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/3/21352878/trump-us-ban-tiktok-microsoft-acquisition-treasury-interview-deadline|title=Trump threatens that TikTok will "close down" on September 15th unless an American company buys it|first=Adi|last=Robertson|date=3 August 2020|website=The Verge|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813235326/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/3/21352878/trump-us-ban-tiktok-microsoft-acquisition-treasury-interview-deadline|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 August, Trump signed two [[s:Executive Order 13942|executive orders]] banning US "transactions" with TikTok and [[WeChat]] to its respective parent companies ByteDance and [[Tencent]], set to take effect 45 days after the signing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/06/us-senate-tiktok-ban|title=Trump bans US transactions with Chinese-owned TikTok and WeChat|last=Singh|first=Maanvi|date=6 August 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 January 2021}}</ref> A planned ban of the app on 20 September 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2020/09/commerce-department-prohibits-wechat-and-tiktok-transactions-protect|title=Commerce Department Prohibits WeChat and TikTok Transactions to Protect the National Security of the United States|website=U.S. Department of Commerce|access-date=18 September 2020|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920143218/https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2020/09/commerce-department-prohibits-wechat-and-tiktok-transactions-protect|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|last=Arbel|first=Tali|date=6 August 2020|title=Trump bans dealings with Chinese owners of TikTok, WeChat|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8|url-status=live|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807071140/https://apnews.com/719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8}}</ref> was postponed by a week and then blocked by a federal judge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/19/tech/donald-trump-tiktok-deal-approval/index.html|title=Trump says he has approved a deal for TikTok|first=Brian|last=Fung|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-signs-off-on-deal-allowing-tiktok-to-continue-u-s-operations-11600551352|title=Trump Signs Off on TikTok Deal With Oracle, Walmart|first=Andrew Restuccia, John D. McKinnon and Georgia|last=Wells|date=20 September 2020|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/19/technology/trump-oracle-and-tiktok.html|title=Trump Approves Deal Between Oracle and TikTok|first1=Ana|last1=Swanson|first2=David|last2=McCabe|first3=Erin|last3=Griffith|date=19 September 2020|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judge-suggests-tiktok-ban-would-be-a-fairly-significant-deprivation/ar-BB19tAvo TikTok ban: Judge rules app won't be blocked in the US, for now]; [[CNN]] by way of [[MSN]]; published September 28, 2020; accessed February 7, 2021</ref> The app has been banned by the government of [[India]] since June 2020 along with 223<ref name="full list">{{cite web |last1=Sabat |first1=Surabhi |title=Full List Of 224 Chinese Apps Banned In India Till Date; Including PUBG, TikTok And Shein |url=https://www.republicworld.com/technology-news/apps/how-many-chinese-apps-banned-in-india-till-now-see-the-full-list.html |website=Republic World |access-date=16 September 2020 |date=2 September 2020 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111194421/https://www.republicworld.com/technology-news/apps/how-many-chinese-apps-banned-in-india-till-now-see-the-full-list.html |url-status=live }}</ref> other Chinese apps in response to a [[2020 China–India skirmishes|border clash]] with China.<ref name="india_ban">{{cite news|first=Pankaj|last=Doval|date=30 June 2020|title= TikTok, UC Browser among 59 Chinese apps blocked as threat to sovereignty|website= The Times of India|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/chinese-apps-banned-in-india-tiktok-uc-browser-among-59-chinese-apps-blocked-as-threat-to-sovereignty/articleshow/76699679.cms|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200630043219/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/chinese-apps-banned-in-india-tiktok-uc-browser-among-59-chinese-apps-blocked-as-threat-to-sovereignty/articleshow/76699679.cms|archive-date= 30 June 2020|url-status= live}}</ref> Pakistan banned TikTok citing 'immoral' and 'indecent' videos on 9 October 2020 but reversed its ban ten days later on 19 October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/19/tech/tiktok-ban-pakistan-reversed/index.html|title=Pakistan reverses TikTok ban after 10 days|first=Charles Riley, CNN|last=Business|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kastrenakes|first=Jacob|date=2020-10-09|title=Pakistan bans TikTok for "immoral" and "indecent" videos|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/9/21509817/tiktok-pakistan-ban-immoral-indecent-content|access-date=2020-10-12|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan bans TikTok for allowing 'immoral and indecent' content |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/10/09/pakistan-bans-tiktok-for-allowing-immoral-and-indecent-content/ |website=Android Police |access-date=10 October 2020 |date=9 October 2020}}</ref> Then in March 2021, a Pakistani court ordered a new TikTok ban due to complaints over "indecent" content.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ahmad|first=Asif Shahzad, Jibran|date=2021-03-11|title=Pakistan to block social media app TikTok over 'indecency' complaint|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-socialmedia-tiktok-idUSKBN2B329C|access-date=2021-03-11}}</ref>

[[Morning Consult]] ranked TikTok as the third fastest growing brand of 2020, after only [[Zoom (software)|Zoom]] and [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Fastest Growing Brands of 2020|url=https://morningconsult.com/fastest-growing-brands-2020/|access-date=2021-02-07|website=Morning Consult|language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2021, TikTok appointed Shou Zi Chew as their new CEO.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TikTok Names ByteDance CFO Shou Zi Chew as New CEO|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-bytedance-cfo-singapore-kevin-mayer-2425785|access-date=2021-05-01|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Evolution ===
[[File:ByteDance Logo.svg|thumb|ByteDance Ltd., the Chinese company owning and operating TikTok]]

Douyin was launched by ByteDance in Beijing, China in September 2016, originally under the name A.me, before rebranding to Douyin ({{lang|zh|抖音}}) in December 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1001728/the-app-that-launched-a-thousand-memes|title=The App That Launched a Thousand Memes {{!}} Sixth Tone|date=20 February 2018|work=Sixth Tone|access-date=2 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223191256/http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1001728/the-app-that-launched-a-thousand-memes|archive-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://jingdaily.com/douyin-luxury-brands/|title=Is Douyin the Right Social Video Platform for Luxury Brands? {{!}} Jing Daily|date=11 March 2018|work=Jing Daily|access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915044636/https://jingdaily.com/douyin-luxury-brands/|archive-date=15 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ByteDance planned on Douyin expanding overseas. The founder of ByteDance, Zhang Yiming, stated that "China is home to only one-fifth of Internet users globally. If we don’t expand on a global scale, we are bound to lose to peers eyeing the four-fifths. So, going global is a must."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340547035 |title=TIKTOK'S RISE TO GLOBAL MARKETS 1 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023625/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340547035_TIKTOK%27S_RISE_TO_GLOBAL_MARKETS_1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Douyin was developed in 200 days and within a year had 100 million users, with more than one billion videos viewed every day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://walkthechat.com/douyin-became-chinas-top-short-video-app-500-days/|title=How Douyin became China's top short-video App in 500 days|last=Graziani|first=Thomas|date=30 July 2018|website=WalktheChat |access-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329025317/https://walkthechat.com/douyin-became-chinas-top-short-video-app-500-days/|archive-date=29 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://technode.com/2018/06/15/8-lessons-douyin/|title=8 Lessons from the rise of Douyin (Tik Tok) · TechNode|date=15 June 2018|website=TechNode |access-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311192049/https://technode.com/2018/06/15/8-lessons-douyin/|archive-date=11 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> TikTok was launched in the international market in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://en.prnasia.com/releases/apac/Tik_Tok_a_Global_Music_Video_Platform_and_Social_Network_Launches_in_Indonesia-187963.shtml|title=Tik Tok, a Global Music Video Platform and Social Network, Launches in Indonesia|access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111648/https://en.prnasia.com/releases/apac/Tik_Tok_a_Global_Music_Video_Platform_and_Social_Network_Launches_in_Indonesia-187963.shtml|archive-date=15 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 January 2018, the TikTok app ranked No. 1 among free app downloads on app stores in [[Thailand]] and other countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thailand.shafaqna.com/EN/TH/738296|title=Tik Tok, Global Short Video Community launched in Thailand with the latest AI feature, GAGA Dance Machine The very first short video app with a new function based on AI technology|website=thailand.shafaqna.com|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310010511/http://thailand.shafaqna.com/EN/TH/738296|archive-date=10 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

TikTok has been downloaded more than 130 million times in the United States, and has reached 2 billion downloads worldwide,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carman |first1=Ashley |title=TikTok reaches 2 billion downloads |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/29/21241788/tiktok-app-download-numbers-update-2-billion-users |website=The Verge |access-date=1 August 2020 |language=en |date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729003408/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/29/21241788/tiktok-app-download-numbers-update-2-billion-users |archive-date=29 July 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Doyle |first1=Brandon |title=TikTok Statistics - Everything You Need to Know [Sept 2020 Update] |url=https://wallaroomedia.com/blog/social-media/tiktok-statistics/#:~:text=Total%20App%20Downloads%20%E2%80%93%20The%20TikTok,Tower%200n%20April%2029%2C%202020. |website=Wallaroo Media |access-date=21 November 2020 |date=6 October 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806153343/https://wallaroomedia.com/blog/social-media/tiktok-statistics/#:~:text=Total%20App%20Downloads%20%E2%80%93%20The%20TikTok,Tower%200n%20April%2029%2C%202020. |url-status=live }}</ref> according to data from mobile research firm Sensor Tower that excludes Android users in China.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/21/tech/tiktok-app/index.html|title=TikTok is the latest social network sensation|last=Yurieff|first=Kaya|date=21 November 2018|website=Cnn.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104123943/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/21/tech/tiktok-app/index.html|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In the United States, many celebrities including [[Jimmy Fallon]] and [[Tony Hawk]] began using the application in 2018;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/15/18095446/tiktok-jimmy-fallon-tony-hawk-downloads-revenue|title=TikTok surges past 6M downloads in the US as celebrities join the app|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=15 November 2018|website=The Verge|access-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224105355/https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/15/18095446/tiktok-jimmy-fallon-tony-hawk-downloads-revenue|archive-date=24 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/tiktok-jimmy-fallon-musically-app-downloads-1203032629/|title=TikTok App Nears 80 Million U.S. Downloads After Phasing Out Musical.ly, Lands Jimmy Fallon as Fan|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=20 November 2018|website=Variety |access-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102085913/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/tiktok-jimmy-fallon-musically-app-downloads-1203032629/|archive-date=2 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> other celebrities such as [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Jessica Alba]], [[Will Smith]], and [[Justin Bieber]] joined TikTok as well and many other celebrities have followed.<ref>{{cite web|title=A-Rod & J.Lo, Reese Witherspoon and the Rest of the A-List Celebs You Should Be Following on TikTok|url=https://people.com/celebrity/celebrities-on-tiktok/|website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528054649/https://people.com/celebrity/celebrities-on-tiktok/|archive-date=28 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 September 2019, TikTok and the US [[National Football League]] (NFL) announced a multi-year partnership.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/09/03/the-nfl-joins-tiktok-in-multi-year-partnership/ |title=The NFL joins TikTok in multi-year partnership |website=TechCrunch |access-date=5 September 2019 |archive-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023621/https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/03/the-nfl-joins-tiktok-in-multi-year-partnership/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The agreement occurred just two days before the NFL's 100th season kick-off at the [[Soldier Field]], where TikTok hosted activities for fans in honor of the deal. The partnership entails the launch of an official NFL TikTok account, which is to bring about new marketing opportunities such as sponsored videos and hashtag challenges. In July 2020, TikTok, excluding Douyin, reported close to 800 million monthly active users worldwide after less than four years of existence.<ref name="auto"/>

=== Musical.ly merger ===
{{Further|Musical.ly}}

On 9 November 2017, TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, spent up to US$1 billion to purchase musical.ly, a startup headquartered in [[Shanghai]] with an overseas office in [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]], California, US.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lip-syncing-app-musical-ly-is-acquired-for-as-much-as-1-billion-1510278123|title=Social-Media App Musical.ly Is Acquired for as Much as $1 Billion|last1=Lin|first1=Liza|last2=Winkler|first2=Rolfe|date=9 November 2017|website=wsj.com|access-date=7 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401173155/https://www.wsj.com/articles/lip-syncing-app-musical-ly-is-acquired-for-as-much-as-1-billion-1510278123|archive-date=1 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BusinessInsider">{{Cite news|url=http://uk.businessinsider.com/social-video-app-musically-acquired-for-up-to-1-billion-2017-11?r=US&IR=T|title=Social video app Musical.ly acquired for up to $1 billion|work=Business Insider|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905175724/http://uk.businessinsider.com/social-video-app-musically-acquired-for-up-to-1-billion-2017-11?r=US&IR=T|archive-date=5 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Musical.ly was a social media video platform that allowed users to create short lip-sync and comedy videos, initially released in August 2014. It was well known, especially to the younger audience. Looking forward to leveraging the US digital platform's young user base, TikTok merged with musical.ly on 2 August 2018 to create a larger video community, with existing accounts and data consolidated into one app, keeping the title TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Dami|date=2 August 2018|title=The popular Musical.ly app has been rebranded as TikTok|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/2/17644260/musically-rebrand-tiktok-bytedance-douyin}}</ref> This ended musical.ly and made TikTok a worldwide app, excluding China, since China already has Douyin.<ref name="BusinessInsider" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/musically-is-going-away-users-to-be-shifted-to-bytedance-e2-80-99s-tiktok-video-app/ar-BBLovl1|title=Musical.ly Is Going Away: Users to Be Shifted to Bytedance's TikTok Video App|website=msn.com|access-date=13 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328142054/https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/musically-is-going-away-users-to-be-shifted-to-bytedance-e2-80-99s-tiktok-video-app/ar-BBLovl1|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://beebom.com/musical-ly-app-to-be-shut-down-users-will-be-migrated-to-tiktok/|title=Musical.ly App To Be Shut Down, Users Will Be Migrated to TikTok|last=Kundu|first=Kishalaya|date=2 August 2018|website=Beebom|language=en-US|access-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005154207/https://beebom.com/musical-ly-app-to-be-shut-down-users-will-be-migrated-to-tiktok/|archive-date=5 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Expansion in other markets ===
As of 2018, TikTok has been made available in over 150 markets, and in 75 languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/17/c_137330644.htm|title=Chinese video sharing app boasts 500 mln monthly active users - Xinhua | English.news.cn|website=xinhuanet.com|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010150345/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/17/c_137330644.htm|archive-date=10 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://jingdaily.com/douyin-not-for-luxury-brands/|title=Why China's Viral Video App Douyin is No Good for Luxury {{!}} Jing Daily|date=13 June 2018|work=Jing Daily|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212084421/https://jingdaily.com/douyin-not-for-luxury-brands/|archive-date=12 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> TikTok was downloaded more than 104 million times on [[Apple Inc.|Apple's]] App store during the full first half of 2018, according to data provided to [[CNBC]] by Sensor Tower.

After merging with musical.ly in August, downloads increased and TikTok became the most downloaded app in the US in October 2018, which musical.ly had done once before.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.prnasia.com/story/187963-0.shtml|title=Tik Tok, a Global Music Video Platform and Social Network, Launches in Indonesia-PR Newswire APAC|website=en.prnasia.com|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925203535/http://en.prnasia.com/story/187963-0.shtml|archive-date=25 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://walkthechat.com/douyin-became-chinas-top-short-video-app-500-days/|title=How Douyin became China's top short-video App in 500 days – WalktheChat|date=25 February 2018|work=WalktheChat|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329025317/https://walkthechat.com/douyin-became-chinas-top-short-video-app-500-days/|archive-date=29 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2019, TikTok, together with Douyin, hit one billion downloads globally, excluding Android installs in China.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sensortower.com/ios/publisher/publisher/1322881000|title=TikTok Pte. Ltd.|work=Sensortower|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524013144/https://sensortower.com/ios/publisher/publisher/1322881000|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, media outlets cited TikTok as the 7th-most-downloaded mobile app of the decade, from 2010 to 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/10-most-downloaded-apps-of-the-decade-facebook-dominated-2010-2019/|title=Facebook was the most-downloaded app of the decade|last=Rayome|first=Alison DeNisco|website=CNET |access-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218120846/https://www.cnet.com/news/10-most-downloaded-apps-of-the-decade-facebook-dominated-2010-2019/|archive-date=18 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also the most-downloaded app on Apple's App Store in 2018 and 2019, surpassing [[Facebook]], [[YouTube]] and [[Instagram]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/19/short-video-apps-like-douyin-tiktok-are-dominating-chinese-screens.html|title=The biggest trend in Chinese social media is dying, and another has already taken its place|last=Chen|first=Qian|date=18 September 2018|work=CNBC|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116085446/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/19/short-video-apps-like-douyin-tiktok-are-dominating-chinese-screens.html|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/02/tiktok-surpassed-facebook-instagram-snapchat-youtube-in-downloads-last-month/|title=TikTok surpassed Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat & YouTube in downloads last month|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=10 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211095541/https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/02/tiktok-surpassed-facebook-instagram-snapchat-youtube-in-downloads-last-month/|archive-date=11 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, a deal was confirmed between ByteDance and [[Oracle Corporation|Oracle]] in which the latter will serve as a partner to provide cloud hosting.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Novet|first=Jordan|date=13 September 2020|title=Oracle stock surges after it confirms deal with TikTok-owner ByteDance|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/14/microsoft-bid-for-tiktoks-us-operations-rejected-by-bytedance.html|access-date=2 October 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|quote=Shares of Oracle surged Monday morning after it confirmed it has been chosen to serve as TikTok owner ByteDance’s “trusted technology provider” in the U.S.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kharpal|first=Arjun|date=25 September 2020|title=Here's where things stand with the messy TikTok deal|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/25/tiktok-deal-timeline-the-latest-in-the-messy-saga-as-ban-looms.html|access-date=28 September 2020|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> [[Walmart]] intends to invest in TikTok.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Corkery|first=Michael|date=23 September 2020|title=Beyond TikTok, Walmart Looks to Transform|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/business/walmart-tiktok-groceries.html|access-date=2 October 2020|issn=0362-4331|quote=Walmart’s planned investment in TikTok is being called “transformative.”}}</ref> This deal would stall in 2021 as newly-elected President [[Joe Biden|Biden]]'s [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] put a hold on the previous US ban under President [[Donald Trump|Trump]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biden Administration Pauses Trump's TikTok Ban, Backs Off Pressure To Sell App |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/10/966584204/biden-administration-pauses-trumps-tiktok-ban-backs-off-pressure-for-tiktok-to-s}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=TikTok Sale to Oracle, Walmart Is Shelved as Biden Reviews Security |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-sale-to-oracle-walmart-is-shelved-as-biden-reviews-security-11612958401}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ByteDance is walking away from its TikTok deal with Oracle now that Trump isn't in office, report says |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bytedance-ending-oracle-deal-because-trump-is-out-scmp-2021-2}}</ref> In November 2020, TikTok signed a licensing deal with [[Sony Music]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=TikTok signs deal with Sony Music to expand music library|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-signs-deal-sony-music-170116348.html|access-date=2020-11-06|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2020, [[Warner Music Group]] signed a licensing deal with TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-group-inks-licensing-deal-with-tiktok/|title=Warner Music Group inks licensing deal with TikTok|date=4 January 2021|website=Music Business Worldwide}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Warner Music signs with TikTok as more record companies jump on social media bandwagon |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/warner-music-tiktok-deal/ |website=themusicnetwork.com |access-date=2021-01-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Warner Music Group: Modernized And Ready To Play In The New Streaming World |url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/4419318-warner-music-tuned-up-for-new-streaming-world |website=seekingalpha.com |access-date=2021-04-15}}</ref>

== Douyin (抖音) ==
{{redirect-distinguish|Douyin|Doujin}}
As a separate app from TikTok, Douyin officially known as ''Dǒuyīn duǎn shìpín'' (抖音短视频; lit. Douyin Short Video)''','''<ref>{{Cite web|title=抖音短视频|url=https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/%E6%8A%96%E9%9F%B3%E7%9F%AD%E8%A7%86%E9%A2%91/id1142110895|access-date=22 September 2020|website=App Store|language=zh-cn|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503083727/https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/%E6%8A%96%E9%9F%B3%E7%9F%AD%E8%A7%86%E9%A2%91/id1142110895|url-status=live}}</ref> is primarily downloaded in China and has a slightly older audience than TikTok, as their user base ranges from children to middle-aged adults. The app uses two different types of verification, an influencer personal verification similar to that of TikTok and a business verification requiring a license and yearly fee. Business verified users could promote to a specific audience, which allows them to choose where they want their video to be seen, such as a specific physical location. Douyin also has its store, in which users can tag and advertise their products, and users can request to work with an influencer for brand deals.<ref>{{cite web|date=29 March 2020|title=A Thorough Guide to Influencing on Douyin - For Individuals and Businesses (2020)|url=https://www.nanjingmarketinggroup.com/blog/influencers-brands-douyin|access-date=3 June 2020|website=Nanjing Marketing Group|language=en|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023627/https://www.nanjingmarketinggroup.com/blog/influencers-brands-douyin|url-status=live}}</ref> Part of the app's popularity has been attributed to its marketing campaigns that launched several Chinese celebrities' activities to engage their fans' interest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chinamusicbusinessnews.com/?p=1843|title=Douyin launches partnership with Modern Sky to monetize music|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310010353/http://chinamusicbusinessnews.com/?p=1843|archive-date=10 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Features and trends ==
The TikTok mobile app allows users to create short videos, which often feature music in the background and can be sped up, slowed down, or edited with a filter.<ref>{{Cite news|title=How to Use TikTok: Tips for New Users|language=en|work=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-tik-tok/|access-date=27 May 2020|issn=1059-1028|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814235926/https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-tik-tok/|archive-date=14 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> They can also add their own sound on top of the background music. To create a music video with the app, users can choose background music from a wide variety of [[music genre]]s, edit with a filter and record a 15-second video with speed adjustments before uploading it to share with others on TikTok or other social platforms.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-tik-tok/|title=How to Use TikTok: Tips for New Users|last=Matsakis|first=Louise|date=6 March 2019|work=Wired|access-date=24 May 2019|issn=1059-1028|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814235926/https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-tik-tok/|archive-date=14 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> They can also film short lip-sync videos to popular songs.

The "For You" page on TikTok is a feed of videos that are recommended to users based on their activity on the app. Content is generated by TikTok's artificial intelligence (AI) depending on the content a user liked, interacted with, or searched. Users can also choose to add to favorites or select "not interested" on videos for their page. TikTok combines the user's enjoyed content to provide videos that they would also enjoy. Users and their content can only be featured on the "for you" page if they are 16 or over as per TikTok policy. Users under 16 will not show up under the "for you" page, the sounds page, or under any hashtags.<ref>{{cite web|date=31 January 2019|title=TikTok Restricts Users Under 16 From Being Discovered|url=http://vm.tiktok.com/R9KGdN/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716192803/http://vm.tiktok.com/R9KGdN/|archive-date=16 July 2019|access-date=16 July 2019|website=TikTok}}</ref>

The app's "react" feature allows users to film their reaction to a specific video, over which it is placed in a small window that is movable around the screen.<ref name="TechCrunch">{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/03/tiktok-reactions/|title=TikTok adds video reactions to its newly-merged app|work=TechCrunch|access-date=20 November 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120140013/https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/03/tiktok-reactions/|archive-date=20 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Its "duet" feature allows users to film a video aside another video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/lifestyle/30346044|title=Tik Tok lets you duet with yourself, a pal, or a celebrity|website=The Nation|language=en|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626182740/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/lifestyle/30346044|archive-date=26 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The "duet" feature was another trademark of Musical.ly.

Videos that users do not want to post yet can be stored in their "drafts". The user is allowed to see their "drafts" and post when they find it fitting.<ref>{{cite web|title=How to make and find drafts on TikTok using your iPhone or Android|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-to-drafts-on-tiktok|last=Liao|first=Christina|website=Business Insider|access-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426172302/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-to-drafts-on-tiktok|archive-date=26 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
The app allows users to set their accounts as "private." When first downloading the app, the user's account is public by default. The user can change to private in their settings. Private content remains visible to TikTok, but is blocked from TikTok users who the account holder has not authorized to view their content.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/01/29/its-time-to-pay-serious-attention-to-tiktok/|title=It's time to pay serious attention to TikTok|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023621/https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/29/its-time-to-pay-serious-attention-to-tiktok/|url-status=live}}</ref> Users can choose whether any other user, or only their "friends", may interact with them through the app via comments, messages, or "react" or "duet" videos.<ref name="TechCrunch" /> Users also can set specific videos to either "public", "friends only", or "private" regardless if the account is private or not.<ref name=":1" />

Users are also allowed to report accounts depending on the account's content, either being spam or inappropriate. In TikTok's support center under "For Parents," they reassure the parents that inappropriate content for their children can be blocked and reported.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.tiktok.com/en/privacy-safety/for-parents-en|title=Support Center | TikTok|website=support.tiktok.com|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424184447/https://support.tiktok.com/en/privacy-safety/for-parents-en|archive-date=24 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

When users follow other users, a "following" page is located on the left of the "for you" page. This is a page only to see the videos from the accounts a user follows.

Users can also add videos, hashtags, filters, and sounds to their "saved" section. When creating a video, they can refer to their saved section, or create a video straight from it. This section is visible only to the user on their profile allowing them to refer to any video, hashtag, filter, or sound they've previously saved.

Users can also send their friends videos, emojis, and messages with direct messaging.

TikTok has also included a feature to create a video based on the user's comments.

Influencers often use the "live" feature. This feature is only available for those who have at least 1,000 followers and are over 16 years old. If over 18, the user's followers can send virtual "gifts" that can be later exchanged for money.<ref>{{cite web|title=How to 'go live' on TikTok and livestream video to your followers|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-go-live-on-tiktok|last=Delfino|first=Devon|website=Business Insider|access-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528175142/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-go-live-on-tiktok|archive-date=28 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How To Go Live & Stream on TikTok|url=https://social.techjunkie.com/tiktok-go-live-stream/|website=Tech Junkie|language=en-US|access-date=27 May 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023621/https://social.techjunkie.com/tiktok-go-live-stream/|url-status=live}}</ref>

One of the newest features as of 2020 is the "Virtual Items" of "Small Gestures" feature. This is based on China's big practice of social gifting. Since this feature was added, many beauty companies and brands created a TikTok account to participate and advertise this feature. With quarantine in the United States, social gifting has grown in popularity. According to a TikTok representative, the campaign was launched as a result of the lockdown, "to build a sense of support and encouragement with the TikTok community during these tough times."<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 May 2020|title=TikTok's social gifting campaign attracts beauty brands|url=https://www.glossy.co/beauty/tiktoks-social-gifting-campaign-attracts-beauty-brands|access-date=12 June 2020|website=Glossy|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612174934/https://www.glossy.co/beauty/tiktoks-social-gifting-campaign-attracts-beauty-brands|archive-date=12 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

TikTok announced a "family safety mode" in February 2020 for parents to be able to control their children's digital well-being. There is a screen time management option, restricted mode, and can put a limit on direct messages.<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing Family Safety Mode and Screentime Management in Feed |url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/family-safety-mode-and-screentime-management-in-feed/ |date=16 August 2019 |website=Newsroom {{!}} TikTok |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503004640/https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/family-safety-mode-and-screentime-management-in-feed |archive-date=3 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=19 February 2020 |title=TikTok gives parent remote control of child's app |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51561050 |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530224001/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51561050 |archive-date=30 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Viral trends ===
A variety of trends have risen within TikTok, including [[Internet meme|memes]], [[Lip sync|lip-synced]] songs, and comedy videos. Duets, a feature that allows users to add their own video to an existing video with the original content's audio, have sparked many of these trends.

Trends are shown on TikTok's explore page or the page with the search logo. The page enlists the trending [[hashtag]]s and challenges among the app. Some include #posechallenge, #filterswitch, #dontjudgemechallenge, #homedecor, #hitormiss, #bottlecapchallenge and more. In June 2019, the company introduced the hashtag #EduTok which received 37 billion views. Following this development, the company initiated partnerships with [[EdTech|edtech]] startups to create educational content on the platform.<ref>{{cite web|title=TikTok ties up with edtech startups for content creation|url=https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/tiktok-ties-up-with-edtech-startups-for-content-creation/70991509|access-date=20 April 2020|website=ETtech.com|language=en|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023624/https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/tiktok-ties-up-with-edtech-startups-for-content-creation/70991509|url-status=live}}</ref>

The app has spawned numerous [[Viral phenomenon|viral trends]], [[Internet celebrity|Internet celebrities]], and music trends around the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Does Tik Tok Outperform Tencent's Super App WeChat and Become One of China's Most Popular Apps? (Part 1)|url=https://kr-asia.com/bytedance-general-manager-zhang-nan-tik-tok-meshes-with-chinas-consumption-upgrade-trends/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711025929/https://kr-asia.com/bytedance-general-manager-zhang-nan-tik-tok-meshes-with-chinas-consumption-upgrade-trends/|archive-date=11 July 2018|access-date=29 October 2018|website=kr-asia.com}}</ref> Many stars got their start on [[musical.ly]], which merged with TikTok on 2 August 2018. These users include [[Loren Gray]], [[Baby Ariel]], [[Kristen Hancher]], [[Zach King]], [[Lisa and Lena]], [[Jacob Sartorius]], and many others. Loren Gray remained the most-followed individual on TikTok until [[Charli D'Amelio|Charli D’Amelio]] surpassed her on 25 March 2020. Gray's was the first TikTok account to reach 40 million followers on the platform. She was surpassed with 41.3 million followers. D'Amelio was the first to ever reach 50, 60, and 70 million followers. Until now Charli D’Amelio remains the [[List of most-followed TikTok accounts|most-followed individual]] on the platform. Other creators rose to fame after the platform merged with [[musical.ly]] on 2 August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=TikTok Star Charli D'Amelio Officially Leaves the Hype House|url=https://people.com/tv/tik-tok-charli-damelio-leave-hype-house/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513184350/https://people.com/tv/tik-tok-charli-damelio-leave-hype-house/|archive-date=13 May 2020|access-date=27 May 2020|website=PEOPLE.com|language=EN}}</ref>

One notable TikTok trend is the "hit or miss" meme, which begain from a snippet of iLOVEFRiDAY's song "[[Mia Khalifa (Diss)|Mia Khalifa]]." The song has been used in over four million TikTok videos and helped introduce the app to a larger Western audience.<ref>{{cite web|date=12 March 2020|title=TikTok's Renegade dance : An internet success across the United States|url=https://us.blastingnews.com/opinion/2020/03/tiktoks-renegade-dance-an-internet-success-across-the-united-states-003085731.html|access-date=27 May 2020|website=Blasting News|language=en}}</ref><ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web|date=12 February 2019|title=How TikTok Gets Rich While Paying Artists Pennies|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/article/the-great-music-meme-scam-how-tiktok-gets-rich-while-paying-artists-pennies/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526211142/https://pitchfork.com/features/article/the-great-music-meme-scam-how-tiktok-gets-rich-while-paying-artists-pennies/|archive-date=26 May 2019|access-date=20 May 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> TikTok also played a major part in making "[[Old Town Road]]" by [[Lil Nas X]] one of the biggest songs of 2019 and the longest running number-one song in the history of the [[Billboard Hot 100]].<ref>{{Citation|last=Coscarelli|first=Joe|title=How Lil Nas X Took 'Old Town Road' From TikTok Meme to No. 1 {{!}} Diary of a Song|date=9 May 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKqFafZgCk|work=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110153141/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKqFafZgCk|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=26 November 2019|archive-date=10 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Koble|first=Nicole|date=28 October 2019|title=TikTok is changing music as you know it|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/what-is-tiktok|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123115730/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/what-is-tiktok|archive-date=23 November 2019|access-date=26 November 2019|website=[[British GQ]]|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Leskin|first=Paige|date=22 August 2019|title=The life and rise of Lil Nas X, the 'Old Town Road' singer who went viral on TikTok and just celebrated Amazon Prime Day with Jeff Bezos|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lil-nas-x-old-town-road-tiktok-life-rise-bio-2019-8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914003241/https://www.businessinsider.com/lil-nas-x-old-town-road-tiktok-life-rise-bio-2019-8|archive-date=14 September 2019|access-date=26 November 2019|website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Spanos|first=Brittany|date=December 2019|title=How Lil Nas X and 'Old Town Road' Defy Categorization|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/lil-nas-x-old-town-road-american-ingenuity-180973492/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119070033/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/lil-nas-x-old-town-road-american-ingenuity-180973492/|archive-date=19 November 2019|access-date=26 November 2019|website=[[Smithsonian]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Gerrick D.|date=20 November 2019|title=Lil Nas X makes Grammy history as the first openly gay rapper nominated in top categories|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-11-20/grammy-nominations-2020-lil-nas-x-old-town-road|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127045635/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-11-20/grammy-nominations-2020-lil-nas-x-old-town-road|archive-date=27 November 2019|access-date=26 November 2019|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

TikTok has allowed many other bands to gain a wider audience, often including foreign fans. For example, despite never having toured in Asia, the band [[Fitz and the Tantrums]] developed a large following in South Korea following the widespread popularity of their song "[[HandClap]]" on the platform.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Lucas|title=TikTok Is the New Music Kingmaker, and Labels Want to Get Paid|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-10/tiktok-is-the-new-music-kingmaker-and-labels-want-to-get-paid|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414113435/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-10/tiktok-is-the-new-music-kingmaker-and-labels-want-to-get-paid|archive-date=14 April 2020|access-date=22 April 2020|website=[[Bloomberg.com]]}}</ref> "Any Song" by R&B and rap artist [[Zico (rapper)|Zico]] became number 1 on the Korean music charts due to the popularity of the #anysongchallenge, where users dance the choreography of "Any Song". "Any Song" was on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] chart for 17 weeks, breaking the record for the longest time a song was number 1 on the charts.<ref>{{cite web|title='Any Song' is a viral hit thanks to TikTok challenge: Rapper Zico's catchy song and dance have become a craze all around the world|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/01/23/etc/Any-Song-is-a-viral-hit-thanks-to-TikTok-challenge-Rapper-Zicos-catchy-song-and-dance-have-become-a-craze-all-around-the-world/3072996.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605081148/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/01/23/etc/Any-Song-is-a-viral-hit-thanks-to-TikTok-challenge-Rapper-Zicos-catchy-song-and-dance-have-become-a-craze-all-around-the-world/3072996.html|archive-date=5 June 2020|access-date=27 May 2020|website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com|language=en}}</ref> The platform has received some criticism for not paying royalties to artists whose music is used on their platform.<ref name="pitchfork" />

In June 2020, TikTok users and [[K-pop]] fans "claimed to have registered potentially hundreds of thousands of tickets" for [[2020 Trump Tulsa rally|President Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa]] through communication on TikTok,<ref>{{cite web|title=TikTok Teens and K-Pop Stans Say They Sank Trump Rally|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/style/tiktok-trump-rally-tulsa.html|date=21 June 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=22 June 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622000614/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/style/tiktok-trump-rally-tulsa.html|archive-date=22 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> contributing to "rows of empty seats"<ref>{{cite web|title=The President's Shock at the Rows of Empty Seats in Tulsa|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/trump-tulsa-rally.html|date=21 June 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=22 June 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621234822/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/trump-tulsa-rally.html|archive-date=21 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> at the event.

TikTok has banned [[Holocaust denial]], but other conspiracy theories have become popular on the platform, such as [[Pizzagate]] and [[QAnon]] (two conspiracy theories popular among the US [[alt-right]]) whose hashtags reached almost 80 million views and 50 million views respectively by June 2020.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Dellinger|first=A. J.|date=22 June 2020|title=Conspiracy theories are finding a hungry audience on TikTok|url=https://www.mic.com/p/conspiracy-theories-are-finding-a-hungry-audience-on-tiktok-23620372|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708121051/https://www.mic.com/p/conspiracy-theories-are-finding-a-hungry-audience-on-tiktok-23620372|archive-date=8 July 2020|access-date=24 June 2020|website=Mic|language=en}}</ref> The platform has also been used to spread misinformation about the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], such as clips from ''[[Plandemic]]''.<ref name=":8" /> TikTok removed some of these videos, and has generally added links to accurate COVID-19 information on videos with tags related to the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Strapagiel|first=Lauren|date=27 May 2020|title=COVID-19 Conspiracy Theorists Have Found A New Home On TikTok|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/pandemic-conspiracy-theorists-disinformation-tiktok|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622011451/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/pandemic-conspiracy-theorists-disinformation-tiktok|archive-date=22 June 2020|access-date=24 June 2020|website=BuzzFeed News|language=en}}</ref>

On 10 August 2020, Emily Jacobssen wrote and sang "Ode To Remy," a song praising the [[protagonist]] from the 2007 [[Pixar]] [[computer-animated film]] ''[[Ratatouille (film)|Ratatouille]]''. The song rose to popularity when musician Daniel Mertzlufft composed a backing track to the song. In response, began creating a "crowdsourced" project called ''[[Ratatouille the Musical|Ratatouille The Musical]]''. Since Mertzlufft's video, many new elements including costume design, additional songs, and a [[Programme (booklet)|playbill]] have been created.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Felicia|date=21 November 2020|title=Presenting: The Official (Fake) Ratatouille Playbill|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/presenting-the-official-fake-ratatouille-playbill|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref> The trend has been even been noticed by [[Lou Romano]], who voiced Alfredo Linguini in the original film; [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] performer [[Kevin Chamberlin]]; and [[Disney Channel]] actor [[Milo Manheim]]. On New Year's Day 2021, a full one-hour virtual presentation of ''[[Ratatouille the Musical]]'' premiered on the [[TodayTix]]; The production featured elements created via TikTok. It starred [[Titus Burgess]] as Remy, [[Wayne Brady]] as Django, [[Adam Lambert]] as Emile, Chamberlin as Gusteau, [[Andrew Barth Feldman]] as Linguini, [[Ashley Park (actress)|Ashley Park]] as Colette, [[Priscilla Lopez]] as Mabel, [[Mary Testa]] as Skinner, and [[André De Shields]] as Ego.

{{see|TikTok food trends}}
Several food trends have emerged on the platform, such as [[Dalgona coffee]].

== Influencer marketing ==
TikTok has provided a platform for users to create content not only for fun, but also for money. As the platform has grown significantly over the past few years, it has allowed companies to advertise and rapidly reach their intended demographic through [[influencer marketing]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Dilon|first=Cell|date=2020|title=TikTok Influences on Teenagers and Young Adults Students: The Common Usages of the Application TikTok|url=https://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/download/5917/2148/|website=American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences}}</ref> The platform's AI algorithm also contributes to the influencer marketing potential, as it picks out content according to the user's preference.<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal|last1=Haenlein|first1=Michael|last2=Anadol|first2=Ertan|last3=Farnsworth|first3=Tyler|last4=Hugo|first4=Harry|last5=Hunichen|first5=Jess|last6=Welte|first6=Diana|date=2020-10-13|title=Navigating the New Era of Influencer Marketing: How to be Successful on Instagram, TikTok, & Co.|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0008125620958166|journal=California Management Review|volume=63|pages=5–25|language=en|doi=10.1177/0008125620958166|s2cid=222347758}}</ref> Sponsored content is not as prevalent on the platform as it is on other social media apps, but brands and influencers still can make as much as they would if not more in comparison to other platforms.<ref name=":13" /> Influencers on the platform who earn money through engagement, such as likes and comments, are referred to as "meme machines".<ref name=":12" />

In 2021, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that viral TikTok videos by young people relating the emotional impact of books on them, tagged with the label "BookTok", significantly drove sales of literature. Publishers were increasingly using the platform as a venue for influencer marketing.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harris|first=Elizabeth A.|date=2021-03-20|title=How Crying on TikTok Sells Books|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/books/booktok-tiktok-video.html|access-date=2021-03-21|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==User characteristics and behavior==

=== Users ===
{{See also|List of most-followed TikTok accounts}}

In the three years after it launched in September 2016, TikTok acquired 800 million active users.<ref name=":5" /> Its users include [[Zach King]], [[Loren Gray]], [[Baby Ariel]], [[Lisa and Lena]], [[Will Smith]], [[Dwayne Johnson]], [[Brent Rivera]], [[Addison Rae]], [[Jason Derulo]], [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Camila Cabello]], [[Lilly Singh]], [[Selena Gomez]], [[Noah Schnapp]] and [[Charli D'Amelio]], the most-followed individual on the platform.

==== Demographics ====
Globally, 44% of TikTok users are female while 56% are male.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=https://www.oberlo.com/blog/tiktok-statistics|title=10 TikTok Statistics That You Need to Know in 2019 [Infographic]|date=22 October 2019|website=Oberlo|language=en-US|access-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205041457/https://www.oberlo.com/blog/tiktok-statistics|archive-date=5 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> TikTok's geographical use has shown that 43% of new users are from India.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=https://mediakix.com/blog/top-tik-tok-statistics-demographics/|title=13 TikTok Stats for Marketers: TikTok Demographics, Statistics, & Key Data|date=7 March 2019|website=Mediakix|language=en-US|access-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204072918/https://mediakix.com/blog/top-tik-tok-statistics-demographics/|archive-date=4 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> TikTok tends to appeal to younger users, as 41% of its users are between the ages of 16 and 24. Among these TikTok users, 90% say they use the app daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-marketing-trends-predictions-2020|title=Analyzing Tik Tok user growth and usage patterns in 2020|last=Meola|first=Andrew|website=Business Insider|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225032607/https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-marketing-trends-predictions-2020|archive-date=25 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> As of July 2020, there were over 90 million monthly active users in the United States alone.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Sherman|first=Alex|date=24 August 2020|title=TikTok reveals detailed user numbers for the first time|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/24/tiktok-reveals-us-global-user-growth-numbers-for-first-time.html|access-date=14 September 2020|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref>

=== Use by businesses ===
In October 2020, the ecommerce platform [[Shopify]] added TikTok to its portfolio of social media platforms, allowing online merchants to sell their products directly to consumers on TikTok.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/f11fe4a8-84ea-4f11-aa94-79fe8ed0688e |title=TikTok moves into social ecommerce with Shopify deal |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Tim |last2=Murphy |first2=Hannah |work=Financial Times |date=27 October 2020 }}</ref>

Some [[small business]]es have used TikTok to advertise and to reach an audience wider than the geographical region they would normally serve. The viral response to many small business TikTok videos has been attributed to TikTok's algorithm, which shows content that viewers at large are drawn to, but which they are unlikely to actively search for (such as videos on unconventional types of businesses, like [[beekeeping]] and [[logging]]).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kastrenakes |first1=Jacob |title=Boring, mundane businesses have an exhilarating, viral life on TikTok |url=https://www.theverge.com/21440183/tiktok-small-local-business-landscaping-beekeeping-home-renovation |website=The Verge |date=21 September 2020 }}</ref>

In 2020, digital media companies such as [[Group Nine Media]] and [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]] used TikTok increasingly, focusing on tactics such as brokering partnerships with TikTok influencers and developing branded content campaigns.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://digiday.com/marketing/theres-more-opportunity-publishers-on-tiktok-are-taking-branded-content-into-their-own-hands/ |title='There's more opportunity': Publishers on TikTok are taking branded content into their own hands |last1=Barber |first1=Kayleigh |last2=Joseph |first2=Seb |work=Digiday |date=23 November 2020 }}</ref> Notable collaborations between larger brands and top TikTok influencers have included [[Chipotle]]'s partnership with [[David Dobrik]] in May 2019<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chipotle-tiktok-strategy-includes-influencers-paid-content-guacamole-2020-4 |title=How Chipotle became one of the highest performing brands on TikTok by dominating user challenges and partnering with influencers like David Dobrik |last=Ciment |first=Shoshy |work=Business Insider |date=26 April 2020 }}</ref> and [[Dunkin' Donuts]]' partnership with [[Charli D'Amelio]] in September 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/tiktok-proves-potent-marketing-channel-some-restaurants |title=TikTok proves potent marketing channel for some restaurants |last=Guszkowski |first=Joe |work=Restaurant Business |date=4 October 2020 }}</ref>

== Country bans and attempted bans ==
{{Main|Censorship of TikTok}}

===China===
In April 2020, TikTok officially cooperated with mainland China's Internet censorship mechanism and began to prohibit the use of overseas version of Douyin in mainland China. Different from general blockade, TikTok adopted an IP lock zone, mainly for mainland China; Hong Kong and Macau were not affected. The direct consequence of the lock zone is that Chinese users cannot log in to TikTok using a [[VPN]]. Officials have also restricted the numbers of China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. The phone numbers of the above three cannot log in to TikTok. Even so, there are a large number of cracked versions of TikTok on the Chinese Internet. The cracked version of TikTok can watch videos normally, but the phone number restriction has not been cracked and users cannot log in.

In January 2021, the Great Firewall of China’s blocking measures on TikTok were further upgraded, and the monitoring of the cracked version of TikTok was increased, and measures such as node blocking and IP blocking were adopted to interfere with the normal watching of videos by mainland users: that is, users watch normally. but ater a few videos, the video cannot be refreshed, and you need to re-enter the software before you can continue watching.

The official website www.tiktok.com of the overseas version of TikTok is currently blocked by the Great Firewall, and the Chinese language of the official website of the overseas version only provides Traditional Chinese, as officially used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, instead of Simplified Chinese.

=== India ===

TikTok was banned completely in India by the [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]] on 29 June 2020, along with 223 other Chinese apps,<ref name="full list" /> with a statement saying they were "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of state and public order".<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 June 2020|title=India bans TikTok and dozens more Chinese apps|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53225720|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811185240/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53225720|url-status=live}}</ref> The ban was made permanent in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Kanishka|date=2021-01-25|title=India to impose permanent ban on 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok - Indian media|language=en|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-india-china-apps-idUSKBN29U2G6|access-date=2021-01-25}}</ref> In February 2021, TikTok announced that due to the ban it will cut more than 2000 jobs in India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Business|first=Michelle Toh, CNN|title=TikTok is laying off employees in India as ban becomes permanent|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/27/tech/tiktok-india-chinese-apps-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=2021-02-11|website=CNN}}</ref>

=== United States ===
On 6 August 2020, U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] signed [[executive order]] 13942<ref>{{Cite web|title=Executive Order on Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-addressing-threat-posed-tiktok/|access-date=2020-12-08|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-11|title=Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok, and Taking Additional Steps To Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/08/11/2020-17699/addressing-the-threat-posed-by-tiktok-and-taking-additional-steps-to-address-the-national-emergency|access-date=2020-12-08|website=Federal Register}}</ref> which would ban TikTok transactions in 45 days if it is not sold by [[ByteDance]]. Trump also signed a similar order against the [[WeChat]] application owned by the Chinese multinational company [[Tencent]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Carvajal |first=Nikki |title=Trump issues executive order banning TikTok from operating in 45 days if it's not sold by Chinese parent company |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/politics/trump-executive-order-tiktok/index.html |access-date=7 August 2020 |website=CNN |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810020022/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/politics/trump-executive-order-tiktok/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":11" />

On 14 August 2020, Trump issued order DCPD-202000608<ref>{{Cite web|title=Order Regarding the Acquisition of Musical.ly by ByteDance Ltd|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/order-regarding-acquisition-musical-ly-bytedance-ltd/|access-date=2020-12-08|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=govinfo|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/DCPD-202000608/|access-date=2020-12-08|website=www.govinfo.gov|language=en}}</ref> giving ByteDance 90 days to sell or spin off its U.S. TikTok business.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Wendy|date=17 October 2020|title=White House Presses To Move Forward With TikTok Ban|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/356940/white-house-presses-to-move-forward-with-tiktok-ba.html}}</ref> In the order, Trump said that there is "credible evidence" that leads him to believe that ByteDance "might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States."<ref>{{cite web |last1= Trump |first1= Donald J. | title= Order Regarding the acquisition of musical. Ly by Bytedance Ltd. |url= https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/EO-on-TikTok-8-14-20.pdf|access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200815193531/https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/EO-on-TikTok-8-14-20.pdf | archive-date=15 August 2020}}</ref>

TikTok considered selling the American portion of its business, and held talks with companies including [[Microsoft]], [[Walmart]], and [[Oracle Corporation|Oracle]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Li|first=Jane|title=TikTok's deal with Oracle and Walmart is in its own lame-duck period|url=https://qz.com/1931773/tiktok-deal-with-oracle-walmart-is-in-its-own-lame-duck-period/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Quartz|language=en}}</ref>

On September 18, TikTok filed a lawsuit, ''[[TikTok v. Trump]]''. On 23 September 2020, TikTok filed a request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the app from being banned by the Trump administration.<ref name="tiktokinjunction">{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/technology/tiktok-injunction-ban-app.html | title = TikTok Files for Injunction to Stop Ban of App | first = Mike | last= Isaac | date = 23 September 2020 | access-date= 26 September 2020 | work = [[New York Times]] }}</ref> U.S. judge [[Carl J. Nichols]] temporarily blocked the Trump administration order that would effectively ban TikTok from being downloaded in U.S. app stores starting midnight on 27 September 2020. Nichols allowed the app to remain available in the U.S. app stores, but declined to block the additional Commerce Department restrictions that could have a larger impact on TikTok's operations in the U.S. These restrictions were set to take place 12 November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Judge Halts Trump's TikTok Ban, Hours Before It Was Set To Start|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/917452668/u-s-judge-halts-trumps-tiktok-ban-hours-before-it-was-set-to-start|access-date=28 September 2020|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref>

Three TikTok influencers filed a lawsuit, ''Marland v. Trump''.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|last=Wells|first=Georgia|date=2020-11-26|title=TikTok Stars Proved Key in Strategy to Fight U.S. Ban|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-three-tiktok-stars-beat-back-u-s-plans-to-ban-the-app-11606418513|access-date=2020-12-08|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> On October 30, Pennsylvania judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled against the [[United States Department of Commerce|Commerce Department]], blocking them from restricting TikTok.<ref name=":14" /> On November 12, the Commerce Department stated that it would obey the Pennsylvania ruling and that it would not try to enforce the restrictions against TikTok that had been scheduled for November 12.<ref name=":14" />

The Commerce Department appealed the original ruling in ''TikTok v. Trump''. On December 7, Washington D.C. district court judge [[Carl J. Nichols]] issued a preliminary [[injunction]] against the [[United States Department of Commerce|Commerce Department]], preventing them from imposing restrictions on TikTok.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wells|first=Georgia|date=2020-12-08|title=TikTok Download Ban Is Blocked by Second Judge|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-download-ban-is-blocked-by-second-judge-11607390564|access-date=2020-12-08|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Judge Halts Trump's TikTok Ban, The 2nd Court To Fully Block The Action|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/07/944039053/u-s-judge-halts-trumps-tiktok-ban-the-2nd-court-to-fully-block-the-action|access-date=2020-12-08|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Peters|first=Jay|date=2020-12-07|title=Second judge says Trump can't ban TikTok|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/7/22160239/tiktok-ban-judge-trump-administration-us-commerce-department|access-date=2020-12-08|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref>

=== Indonesia and Bangladesh ===

TikTok has been intermittently blocked in countries including [[Indonesia]] and [[Bangladesh]] on different bases.<ref name="2018-07-05-dw">{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/indonesia-blocks-pornographic-tik-tok-app/a-44537230|title=Indonesia blocks 'pornographic' Tik Tok app |date =7 May 2018|website=DW.COM|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302090524/https://www.dw.com/en/indonesia-blocks-pornographic-tik-tok-app/a-44537230|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2019-02-25-dw">{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/bangladesh-anti-porn-war-bans-blogs-and-google-books/a-47684058|title=Bangladesh 'anti-porn war' bans blogs and Google books|date= 25 February 2019 |website=DW.COM|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024928/https://www.dw.com/en/bangladesh-anti-porn-war-bans-blogs-and-google-books/a-47684058|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Pakistan ===

On 11 October 2020, [[Pakistan]] became the next country to ban the [[social media]] platform after not complying with [[Internet censorship in Pakistan|issues regarding the content on the platform]] brought up by their government.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news|last=Masood|first=Salman|date=2020-10-11|title=Pakistan Bans TikTok, Citing Morals. Others Cite Politics.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/11/technology/tiktok-pakistan-ban.html|access-date=2020-11-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> TikTok representatives are currently speaking with Pakistani officials in hopes of building better relations and allowing the people of Pakistan to create on the platform.<ref name=":17" />

== Controversies ==
=== Addiction concerns ===
Some users may find it hard to stop using TikTok.<ref name="scmp">{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/community/article/2146904/i-risked-my-life-please-mobile-app-tik-tok-has-hong-kong|title=Lip syncing, finger dancing – Hong Kong kids go crazy for Tik Tok|date=19 May 2018|website=South China Morning Post|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302090454/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/community/article/2146904/i-risked-my-life-please-mobile-app-tik-tok-has-hong-kong|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2018, an addiction-reduction feature was added to Douyin.<ref name="scmp" /> This encouraged users to take a break every 90 minutes.<ref name="scmp" /> Later in 2018, the feature was rolled out to the TikTok app. TikTok uses some top [[influencers]] such as Gabe Erwin, Alan Chikin Chow, James Henry, and Cosette Rinab to encourage viewers to stop using the app and take a break.<ref>{{cite web|title=TikTok influencers are telling people to stop using the app|url=https://www.inputmag.com/features/tiktok-tips-telling-users-log-off-get-outdoors-sleep|last=Stokel-Walker|first=Chris|website=Input|language=en|access-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224152400/https://www.inputmag.com/features/tiktok-tips-telling-users-log-off-get-outdoors-sleep|archive-date=24 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Many were also concerned with users' [[attention span]]s with these videos. Users watch short 15-second clips repeatedly and studies say that this could report to a decrease in attention span. This is a concern as many of TikTok's audience are younger children, whose brains are still developing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Su|first=Xiaochen|date=8 May 2020|title=The Trouble With TikTok's Global Rise|url=https://international.thenewslens.com/article/134846|access-date=12 June 2020|website=The News Lens International Edition|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612181540/https://international.thenewslens.com/article/134846|archive-date=12 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Content concerns ===
Many countries showed concerns regarding the content of TikTok which is thought to be obscene, immoral, vulgar and encouraging of [[pornography]]. There have been temporary blocks and warnings issued by countries including [[Indonesia]],<ref name="2018-07-05-dw" /> [[Bangladesh]],<ref name="2019-02-25-dw" /> [[India]],<ref name=":9">{{cite web|title='It Encourages Pornography': Madras High Court Asks Government to Ban Video App TikTok|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/it-encourages-pornography-madras-high-court-asks-government-to-ban-video-app-tiktok-2088337.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404062759/https://www.news18.com/news/india/it-encourages-pornography-madras-high-court-asks-government-to-ban-video-app-tiktok-2088337.html|archive-date=4 April 2019|access-date=4 April 2019|publisher=[[CNN-News18|News18]]}}</ref> and [[Pakistan]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 July 2020|title=Pakistan warns TikTok over 'obscene, immoral' content|url=https://nation.com.pk/21-Jul-2020/pakistan-warns-tiktok-over-obscene-immoral-content|access-date=23 July 2020|website=The Nation|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723095832/https://nation.com.pk/21-Jul-2020/pakistan-warns-tiktok-over-obscene-immoral-content|archive-date=23 July 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pakistan puts TikTok on 'final notice' over 'obscenity' concerns|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2020/07/200721153748436.html|access-date=23 July 2020|website=www.aljazeera.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722141949/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2020/07/200721153748436.html|archive-date=22 July 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> over the content concerns. In 2018, Douyin was reprimanded by Chinese media watchdogs for showing "unacceptable" content, such as videos depicting adolescent pregnancies.<ref name="2018-12-19-tc">{{cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2018/12/19/tiktok-parent-bytedance-sues-chinese-news-site-that-exposed-fake-news-problem/|title=TikTok parent ByteDance sues Chinese news site that exposed fake news problem|publisher=[[TechCrunch]]|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023655/https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/19/tiktok-parent-bytedance-sues-chinese-news-site-that-exposed-fake-news-problem/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 July 2020, [[Egypt]] sentenced five women to two years in prison over TikTok videos on charges of violating public morals. The court also imposed a fine of 300,000 [[Egyptian pound]]s (UK£14,600) on each defendant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/27/egypt-jails-women-for-two-years-over-tiktok-videos|title=Egypt jails women for two years over TikTok videos|access-date=27 July 2020|website=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727171211/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/27/egypt-jails-women-for-two-years-over-tiktok-videos|archive-date=27 July 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Concerns have been voiced regarding content relating to, and the promotion of spreading hateful words and far-right extremism, such as anti-semitism, racism and xenophobia. Some videos were shown to expressly deny the existence of the [[Holocaust]] and for its viewers to take up arms and fight in the name of white supremacy and the [[swastika]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Weimann & Masri |title=Research Note: Spreading Hate on TikTok |journal=Studies in Conflict & Terrorism |date=2020-05-25 |pages=1–14 |doi=10.1080/1057610X.2020.1780027 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1057610X.2020.1780027?casa_token=8kzlD3RmDnIAAAAA%3AIbqWwrF_0Oj6qWbfrEcTb6uSnbXeXtvA4k_7bcWK4p-aqFYCTxmgJkO_Rjr6gqsmE-VbSIfrKONFgw}}</ref> As TikTok's main audience is young children<ref>{{cite web |last1=BBC |title=TikTok 'family safety mode' gives parents some app control |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51561050 |website=BBC News |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref> and the popularity of extremist and hateful content is growing, calls for tighter restrictions on their flexible boundaries have been made. TikTok have since released tougher parental controls to filter out inappropriate content and to ensure they are protection and security.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stokel-Walker|first1=Chris|title=TikTok will make under-16s' accounts private by default to protect them from groomers|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-tightens-privacy-of-accounts-belonging-to-under-16s-2021-1?r=US&IR=T|url-status=live|access-date=2 March 2021|website=BusinessInsider}}</ref>

Slowly turning into a hub of influencer marketing, Abu Dhabi (UAE) partnered with TikTok to promote its tourism, in April 2021. Under the channel name “Visit Abu Dhabi”, the Emirate aimed to engage with influencers who would showcase only the best of it to a worldwide audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tcaabudhabi.ae/en/media.centre/news/the.department.of.culture.and.tourism.abu.dhabi.partners.with.tiktok.for.destination.promotion.aspx|title=The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi Partners with TikTok for Destination Promotion|accessdate=27 April 2021|website=Department of Culture and Tourism}}</ref> It came following the January 2021 winter campaign, initiated through a partnership between the UAE Government Media Office partnered and TikTok to promote the country’s tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://campaignme.com/the-uae-government-media-office-and-tiktok-bring-people-together-to-discover-the-uaes-hidden-gems-in-worlds-coolest-winter/|title=The UAE Government Media Office and TikTok bring people together to discover the UAE's hidden gems in World's Coolest Winter|accessdate=14 January 2021|website=Campaign Middle East}}</ref> However, on the other side, the content creators in the country remained restricted. Under article 28 of Cyber-Crime Law, the UAE prohibits every person from publishing media content that violates its public image or poses a threat to its state security and to its highest interests. Many are often arrested or face charges for posting any photos or videos that are not in accordance with the country’s image-building strategy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/expat-waiter-arrested-for-adding-fake-scream-and-gunshot-sound-to-dubai-parking-lot-tiktok-video-1.78498823|title=Expat waiter arrested for adding fake scream and gunshot sound to Dubai parking lot TikTok video|accessdate=11 April 2021|website=Gulf News}}</ref>

==== Misinformation ====
In January 2020, [[Media Matters for America]] said that TikTok hosted [[misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic]] despite a recent policy against misinformation.<ref>{{cite web |title=TikTok is hosting videos spreading misinformation about the coronavirus, despite the platform's new anti-misinformation policy |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/fake-news/tiktok-hosting-videos-spreading-misinformation-about-coronavirus-despite-platforms-new |last=Kaplan |first=Alex |date=28 January 2020 |website=[[Media Matters for America]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518132317/https://www.mediamatters.org/fake-news/tiktok-hosting-videos-spreading-misinformation-about-coronavirus-despite-platforms-new |archive-date=18 May 2020 |access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> In April 2020, the government of India asked TikTok to remove users posting misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kalra |first=Aditya |date=7 April 2020|title=India asks TikTok, Facebook to remove users spreading coronavirus misinformation |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-socialmedia-idUSKBN21P2QI |url-status=live |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505144912/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-socialmedia-idUSKBN21P2QI|archive-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> There were also multiple conspiracy theories that the government is involved with the spread of the pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |title=On TikTok, COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Flourish Amid Viral Dances|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/tiktok-conspiracy-theories-bill-gates-microchip-vaccine-996394/ |last=Dickson|first=E.J. |date=13 May 2020 |website=Rolling Stone |access-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527140407/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/tiktok-conspiracy-theories-bill-gates-microchip-vaccine-996394/|archive-date=27 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> As a response to this, TikTok launched a feature to report content for misinformation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our efforts towards fighting misinformation in times of COVID-19 |url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/our-efforts-towards-fighting-misinformation-in-times-of-coronavirus/ |date=16 August 2019 |website=Newsroom {{!}} TikTok |access-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529215753/https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/our-efforts-towards-fighting-misinformation-in-times-of-coronavirus |archive-date=29 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Content censorship and moderation by the platform ====
{{Main article|Minority censorship on TikTok}}

In January 2019, the Chinese government said that it would start to hold app developers like ByteDance responsible for user content shared via apps such as Douyin,<ref name="2019-01-14-metro">{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/14/chinese-government-start-blaming-social-apps-users-post-8341950/|title=Chinese government to start blaming social apps for what their users' post|date=14 January 2019|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302090533/https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/14/chinese-government-start-blaming-social-apps-users-post-8341950/|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and listed 100 types of content that the Chinese government would censor.<ref name="2019-01-18-variety">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/china-douyin-tiktok-kuaishou-iqiyi-short-form-video-restrictions-1203110494/|title=Farewell to Concubines: China Tightens Restrictions on Short-Form Videos|first=Rebecca|last=Davis|date=18 January 2019|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302025024/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/china-douyin-tiktok-kuaishou-iqiyi-short-form-video-restrictions-1203110494/|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It was reported that certain content unfavorable to the Chinese Communist Party has already been limited for users outside of China such as content related to the [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests]] or [[Tibetan independence movement|Tibetan independence]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/09/15/tiktoks-beijing-roots-fuel-censorship-suspicion-it-builds-huge-us-audience/|title=TikTok's Beijing roots fuel censorship suspicion as it builds a huge U.S. audience|last1=Harwell|first1=Drew|date=15 September 2019|work=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190916022522/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/09/15/tiktoks-beijing-roots-fuel-censorship-suspicion-it-builds-huge-us-audience/?noredirect=on|archive-date=16 September 2019|last2=Romm|first2=Tony|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/25/revealed-how-tiktok-censors-videos-that-do-not-please-beijing|title=Revealed: how TikTok censors videos that do not please Beijing|last=Hern|first=Alex|date=25 September 2019|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=11 October 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021015127/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/25/revealed-how-tiktok-censors-videos-that-do-not-please-beijing|archive-date=21 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> TikTok has blocked videos about [[human rights in China]], particularly those that reference [[Xinjiang internment camps]] and abuses of ethnic and religious minorities such as the [[Uyghurs]], and disabled the accounts of users who post them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-is-the-latest-window-into-chinas-police-state/|title=TikTok – Yes, TikTok – Is the Latest Window Into China's Police State|last=Cockerell|first=Isobel|date=25 September 2019|work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|access-date=29 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002081715/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-is-the-latest-window-into-chinas-police-state/|archive-date=2 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/11/27/suspension-wont-silence-teen-speaks-embedding-message-xinjiang-uyghurs-tiktok-make-vid/|title='Suspension won't silence me': Teen speaks out after embedding message about Xinjiang Uyghurs in TikTok make-up vid|last1=Chan|first1=Holmes|date=27 November 2019|publisher=[[Hong Kong Free Press]]|access-date=27 November 2019|last2=Grundy|first2=Tom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127204519/https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/11/27/suspension-wont-silence-teen-speaks-embedding-message-xinjiang-uyghurs-tiktok-make-vid/|archive-date=27 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Handley|first=Erin|date=28 November 2019|title=TikTok parent company complicit in censorship and Xinjiang police propaganda: report|work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-28/tiktok-huawei-surveillance-censorship-in-xinjiang-china-report/11745494|url-status=live|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226141359/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-28/tiktok-huawei-surveillance-censorship-in-xinjiang-china-report/11745494|archive-date=26 December 2019}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news|last=Lipes|first=Joshua|date=28 July 2020|title='You Would Want Somebody to Speak up For You': TikToker Who Posted Viral Video on Uyghurs|work=Radio Free Asia|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/video-07282020180119.html|url-status=live|access-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729183529/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/video-07282020180119.html|archive-date=29 July 2020}}</ref> TikTok's policies also ban content related to a specific list of foreign leaders such as [[Vladimir Putin]], [[Donald Trump]], [[Barack Obama]], and [[Mahatma Gandhi]] because it can stir controversy and attacks on political views.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/25/revealed-how-tiktok-censors-videos-that-do-not-please-beijing |title=Revealed: how TikTok censors videos that do not please Beijing |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=25 September 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=25 September 2019 |issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021015127/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/25/revealed-how-tiktok-censors-videos-that-do-not-please-beijing |archive-date=21 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Its policies also ban content critical of [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] and content considered pro-[[Kurdish nationalism|Kurdish]].<ref name=":4" /> TikTok was reported to have censored users supportive of the [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]] in India and those who promote Hindu-Muslim unity.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51262944 |title=Censorship claims emerge as TikTok gets political in India |last=Christopher |first=Nilesh |date=31 January 2020 |work=BBC News |access-date=1 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131192244/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51262944 |archive-date=31 January 2020}}</ref> On 27 November 2019, TikTok temporarily suspended the account of 17-year-old Afghan-American user Feroza Aziz after she posted a video, disguised as a makeup tutorial, drawing attention to the internment camps of Muslim Uyghurs in [[Xinjiang]], China.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-50582101|title=TikTok apologises and reinstates banned teen|last1=Lee|first1=David|date=28 November 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=28 November 2019|last2=Tannahill|first2=Jordan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128134035/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-50582101|archive-date=28 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> TikTok later apologized and said that her account was suspended as a result of human error, and her account has since been reinstated.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/teen-tik-tok-china-osama-bin-laden |title=TikTok Denies Censoring A Teen Who Criticized China's Concentration Camps – They Said They Banned Her After A Joke About Osama Bin Laden Thirst |website=BuzzFeed News |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127235554/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/teen-tik-tok-china-osama-bin-laden |archive-date=27 November 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2020, TikTok suspended the account of another user whose viral video called attention to human rights of the Uyghurs.<ref name=":10" />

In October 2019, TikTok removed about two dozen accounts that were responsible for posting [[Use of social media by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS propaganda]] on the app.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/21/tiktok-removes-two-dozen-accounts-used-for-isis-propaganda.html|title=TikTok removes two dozen accounts used for ISIS propaganda|last=Feuer|first=William|date=22 October 2019|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=21 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022103227/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/21/tiktok-removes-two-dozen-accounts-used-for-isis-propaganda.html|archive-date=22 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-states-tiktok-posts-include-beheading-videos-11571855833 |title=Islamic State's TikTok Posts Include Beheading Videos |last=Wells |first=Georgia |date=23 October 2019 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=25 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025214023/https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-states-tiktok-posts-include-beheading-videos-11571855833 |archive-date=25 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In countries where [[LGBT rights by country or territory|LGBT discrimination]] is the socio-political norm, TikTok moderators have blocked content that could be perceived as being positive towards LGBT people or LGBT rights, including same-sex couples holding hands, including in countries where homosexuality has never been illegal.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/26/tiktoks-local-moderation-guidelines-ban-pro-lgbt-content |title=TikTok's local moderation guidelines ban pro-LGBT content |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=26 September 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=26 September 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926144822/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/26/tiktoks-local-moderation-guidelines-ban-pro-lgbt-content |archive-date=26 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Criddle |first=Cristina |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51474114|title=Transgender users accuse TikTok of censorship|date=12 February 2020 |work=BBC News |access-date=12 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213170813/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51474114 |archive-date=13 February 2020}}</ref> Former U.S. employees of TikTok reported to ''[[The Washington Post]]'' that final decisions to remove content were made by parent company employees in Beijing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/11/05/inside-tiktok-culture-clash-where-us-views-about-censorship-often-were-overridden-by-chinese-bosses/ |title=Inside TikTok: A culture clash where U.S. views about censorship often were overridden by the Chinese bosses |last1=Harwell |first1=Drew |date=5 November 2019|work=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=9 November 2019 |last2=Romm |first2=Tony |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110030035/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/11/05/inside-tiktok-culture-clash-where-us-views-about-censorship-often-were-overridden-by-chinese-bosses/|archive-date=10 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In response to censorship concerns, TikTok's parent company hired [[K&L Gates]], including former U.S. Congressmen [[Bart Gordon]] and [[Jeff Denham]], to advise it on its content moderation policies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://qz.com/1729040/chinas-tiktok-taps-former-us-lawmakers-to-advise-on-content-moderation-policies/|title=TikTok wants to prove it's not a new front in China's information war|last=Li|first=Jane|date=16 October 2019|work=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]]|access-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017030721/https://qz.com/1729040/chinas-tiktok-taps-former-us-lawmakers-to-advise-on-content-moderation-policies/|archive-date=17 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/tiktok-hires-legal-experts-for-content-moderation-amid-censorship-concerns/|title=TikTok hires legal experts for content moderation amid censorship concerns|last=Lee|first=Cyrus|date=16 October 2019|publisher=[[ZDNet]]|access-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019181922/https://www.zdnet.com/article/tiktok-hires-legal-experts-for-content-moderation-amid-censorship-concerns/|archive-date=19 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> TikTok also hired lobbying firm Monument Advocacy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-12/tiktok-revamps-lobbying-as-washington-targets-chinese-ownership|title=TikTok Revamps Lobbying as Washington Targets Chinese Ownership|last1=Brody|first1=Ben|date=12 November 2019|publisher=[[Bloomberg News]]|access-date=12 November 2019|last2=Wilson|first2=Megan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113022322/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-12/tiktok-revamps-lobbying-as-washington-targets-chinese-ownership|archive-date=13 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2020, internal documents leaked to ''[[The Intercept]]'' revealed that moderators had been instructed to suppress posts created by users deemed "too ugly, poor, or disabled" for the platform, and to censor political speech in livestreams, punishing those who harmed "national honor" or broadcast streams about "state organs such as police" with bans from the platform.<ref name=theintercept/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/17/tiktok-tried-to-filter-out-videos-from-ugly-poor-or-disabled-users|work=[[The Guardian]]|title=TikTok 'tried to filter out videos from ugly, poor or disabled users'|first=Alex|last=Hern|date=17 March 2020|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317174644/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/17/tiktok-tried-to-filter-out-videos-from-ugly-poor-or-disabled-users|archive-date=17 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dodds|first=Laurence|date=12 July 2020|title=Inside TikTok's dystopian Chinese censorship machine|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/07/12/inside-tiktoks-dystopian-chinese-censorship-machine/|url-status=live|access-date=12 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712114053/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/07/12/inside-tiktoks-dystopian-chinese-censorship-machine/|archive-date=12 July 2020|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In June 2020, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that some previously non-political TikTok users were airing pro-Beijing views for the explicit purpose of boosting subscribers and avoiding "shadow" bans.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Xiao|first=Eva|date=17 June 2020|title=TikTok Users Gush About China, Hoping to Boost Views|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-users-gush-about-china-hoping-to-boost-views-11592386203|url-status=live|access-date=20 June 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619062523/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-users-gush-about-china-hoping-to-boost-views-11592386203|archive-date=19 June 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, the company announced it was pulling out of Hong Kong responding to the [[Hong Kong national security law]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Byford|first=Sam|date=7 July 2020|title=TikTok pulls out of Hong Kong due to new security law|work=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/7/21315637/tiktok-hong-kong-security-chinese-government-pompeo-us-ban|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707045737/https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/7/21315637/tiktok-hong-kong-security-chinese-government-pompeo-us-ban|archive-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>

In June 2020, ''[[The Times of India]]'' reported that TikTok was "[[shadow banning]]" videos related to the [[Sino-Indian border dispute]] and the [[2020 China–India skirmishes]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Banerjee|first=Chandrima|date=6 June 2020|title=Does TikTok censor content that's critical of China?|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/does-tiktok-censor-content-thats-critical-of-china/articleshow/76228715.cms|url-status=live|access-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706133916/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/does-tiktok-censor-content-thats-critical-of-china/articleshow/76228715.cms|archive-date=6 July 2020}}</ref>

In November 2020, a former TikTok executive stated to a UK parliamentary committee that TikTok censored content critical of China and particularly content related to the [[Uyghur genocide]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shead|first=Sam|date=2020-11-05|title=TikTok invites UK lawmakers to review algorithm after being probed on China censorship concerns|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/05/tiktok-invites-uk-lawmakers-to-review-algorithm-after-china-probe.html|access-date=2020-11-07|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref>

In January 2021, TikTok banned Trump content deemed to be inciting violence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2021/01/11/tiktok-bans-trump-before-trump-bans-tiktok/|title=TikTok banned Trump before Trump could ban TikTok|website=Fortune|access-date=11 January 2021|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111194426/https://fortune.com/2021/01/11/tiktok-bans-trump-before-trump-bans-tiktok/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 February 2021, TikTok received a praise from Russian officials because social app's cooperation with them in deletion of "forbidden" content, mostly related to [[2021 Russian protests|protest activity in Russia.]] In particular, as media censorship agency [[Roskomnadzor]] official Evgeniy Zaitsev stated that, "we need to highlight TikTok among other social media platforms because it has office in Russia and actively cooperated with us, which cannot be said about others".<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=3 February 2021|title=В Роскомнадзоре похвалили TikTok за удаление постов с призывами к протестам|language=Russian|trans-title=Roskomnadzor praised the TikTok for deletion of posts with calls for protest activity|work=[[Interfax.ru]]|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/749258|access-date=3 February 2021}}</ref> Also, the [[State Duma]] deputy [[Alexander Khinshtein]] said that TikTok new anti-fake news policies go well with the ideology of Russian content censorship law and edition of those "should be considered a very positive signal".<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=3 February 2021|title=Хинштейн: функция для борьбы с фейками в TikTok вписывается в идеологию принятого в РФ закона|language=Russian|trans-title=Khinstein: function to block fake content in TikTok fits well into ideology of recently adopted law in Russia|work=[[Парламентская газета]]|url=https://www.pnp.ru/social/khinshteyn-novaya-funkciyu-dlya-borby-s-feykami-v-tiktok-vpisyvaetsya-v-ideologiyu-prinyatogo-v-rossii-zakona.html|access-date=3 February 2021}}</ref>

=== User privacy concerns ===
[[Digital privacy|Privacy]] concerns have also been brought up regarding the app.<ref name="Wong2019">{{cite web|last=Wong|first=Queenie|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/tiktok-accused-of-secretly-gathering-user-data-and-sending-it-to-china/|title=TikTok accused of secretly gathering user data and sending it to China|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=2 December 2019|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506065834/https://www.cnet.com/news/tiktok-accused-of-secretly-gathering-user-data-and-sending-it-to-china/|archive-date=6 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bergman|first1=Ronen|last2=Frenkel|first2=Sheera|last3=Zhong|first3=Raymond|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/technology/tiktok-security-flaws.html|title=Major TikTok Security Flaws Found|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=8 January 2020|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410180937/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/technology/tiktok-security-flaws.html|archive-date=10 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In its privacy policy, TikTok lists that it collects [[Usage data|usage information]], [[IP address]]es, a user's [[Mobile network operator|mobile carrier]], [[Organizationally unique identifier|unique device identifier]]s, [[Keystroke dynamics|keystroke patterns]], and [[Geographic data and information|location data]], among other data.<ref name="Mahadevan2020">{{cite web|last=Mahadevan|first=Tara C.|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2020/02/reddit-ceo-calls-tiktok-fundamentally-parasitic|title=TikTok Responds After Reddit CEO Calls It 'Fundamentally Parasitic'|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=27 February 2020|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228191214/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2020/02/reddit-ceo-calls-tiktok-fundamentally-parasitic|archive-date=28 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PrivacyPolicy">{{cite web|url=https://www.tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy?lang=en|title=Privacy Policy (If you are a user having your usual residence in the US)|publisher=TikTok|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426000353/https://www.tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy?lang=en|archive-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> Web developers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk said that allowing videos and other content being shared by the app's users through [[Hypertext Transfer Protocol|HTTP]] puts the users' data privacy at risk.<ref>{{cite web|title=Army joins Navy in banning TikTok|url=https://www.scmagazine.com/home/security-news/army-joins-navy-in-banning-tiktok/|date=3 January 2020|website=SC Media|language=en-US|access-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423121251/https://www.scmagazine.com/home/security-news/army-joins-navy-in-banning-tiktok/|archive-date=23 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2020, [[Check Point|Check Point Research]] discovered a [[Vulnerability (computing)|security flaw]] in TikTok which could have allowed hackers access to user accounts using [[SMS]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tech/tiktok-flaws-could-have-allowed-hackers-access-to-user-accounts-through-an-sms/story-2bRiI7rtvIC9GF38h9SHhN.html|title=TikTok flaws could have allowed hackers access to user accounts through an SMS|date=8 January 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108163200/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tech/tiktok-flaws-could-have-allowed-hackers-access-to-user-accounts-through-an-sms/story-2bRiI7rtvIC9GF38h9SHhN.html|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In February, [[Reddit]] CEO [[Steve Huffman]] criticised the app, calling it "[[spyware]]," and stating "I look at that app as so fundamentally parasitic, that it's always listening, the fingerprinting technology they use is truly terrifying, and I could not bring myself to install an app like that on my phone."<ref name="Hamilton2020">{{cite web|last=Hamilton|first=Isobel Asher|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-ceo-steve-huffman-says-tiktok-is-parasitic-2020-2|title=Reddit's CEO described TikTok as 'parasitic' and 'spyware'|date=27 February 2020|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426183949/https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-ceo-steve-huffman-says-tiktok-is-parasitic-2020-2|archive-date=26 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Matney|first=Lucas|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/26/reddit-ceo-tiktok-is-fundamentally-parasitic/|title=Reddit CEO: TikTok is 'fundamentally parasitic'|publisher=[[TechCrunch]]|date=27 February 2020|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424201432/https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/26/reddit-ceo-tiktok-is-fundamentally-parasitic/|archive-date=24 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Responding to Huffman's comments, TikTok stated "These are baseless accusations made without a shred of evidence."<ref name=Mahadevan2020/> [[Wells Fargo]] banned the app from its devices due to privacy and security concerns.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Levitt|first=Hannah|date=11 July 2020|title=Wells Fargo Tells Workers to Remove TikTok App From Work Phones|work=Bloomberg News|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-11/wells-fargo-tells-workers-to-remove-tiktok-app-from-work-phones|url-status=live|access-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711063344/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-11/wells-fargo-tells-workers-to-remove-tiktok-app-from-work-phones|archive-date=11 July 2020}}</ref>

In May 2020, the [[Dutch Data Protection Authority]] announced an investigation into TikTok in relation to privacy protections for children.<ref>{{cite news |last=Deutsch |first=Anthony |date=8 May 2020 |title=Dutch watchdog to investigate TikTok's use of children's data |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-dataprivacy-tiktok-idUSKBN22K1UE |url-status=live |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513054358/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-dataprivacy-tiktok-idUSKBN22K1UE|archive-date=13 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bodoni |first=Stephanie |date=8 May 2020 |title=TikTok Faces Dutch Privacy Probe Over Children's Data |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-08/tiktok-faces-dutch-privacy-probe-over-safety-of-children-s-data|url-status=live|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513065744/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-08/tiktok-faces-dutch-privacy-probe-over-safety-of-children-s-data|archive-date=13 May 2020}}</ref> In June 2020, the [[European Data Protection Board]] announced that it would assemble a task force to examine TikTok's user privacy and security practices.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yun Chee |first=Foo |date=10 June 2020 |title=EU watchdog sets up TikTok task force, warns on Clearview AI software |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-privacy-tiktok-clearview-idUSKBN23H2PM |url-status=live |access-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611170414/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-privacy-tiktok-clearview-idUSKBN23H2PM |archive-date=11 June 2020 }}</ref>

In August 2020, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that TikTok tracked Android user data, including [[MAC address]]es and [[IMEI]]s, with a tactic in violation of Google's policies.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Poulsen|first1=Kevin|last2=McMillan|first2=Robert|date=11 August 2020|title=TikTok Tracked User Data Using Tactic Banned by Google|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-tracked-user-data-using-tactic-banned-by-google-11597176738|url-status=live|access-date=12 August 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812015305/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-tracked-user-data-using-tactic-banned-by-google-11597176738}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brandom|first=Russell|date=11 August 2020|title=TikTok collected device identifiers for over a year in violation of Android policies|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/11/21364017/tiktok-mac-address-collected-identifier-android-violation|access-date=11 September 2020|website=[[The Verge]]|language=en}}</ref> The report sparked calls in the U.S. Senate for the [[Federal Trade Commission]] to launch an investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Choi|first=Euirim|date=13 August 2020|title=Senators Ask FTC to Investigate TikTok Data Collection|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/senators-ask-ftc-to-investigate-tiktok-data-collection-11597355356|access-date=14 August 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814152243/https://www.wsj.com/articles/senators-ask-ftc-to-investigate-tiktok-data-collection-11597355356|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== US COPPA fines ====
{{See also|Children's Online Privacy Protection Act}}

On 27 February 2019, the United States [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) fined ByteDance US$5.7 million for collecting information from minors under the age of 13 in violation of the [[Children's Online Privacy Protection Act]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Lieber|first=Chavie|date=28 February 2019|title=TikTok is the latest social media platform accused of abusing children's privacy – now it's paying up|url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/28/18244996/tiktok-children-privacy-data-ftc-settlement|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831085424/https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/28/18244996/tiktok-children-privacy-data-ftc-settlement|archive-date=31 August 2019|access-date=1 March 2019|website=Vox}}</ref> ByteDance responded by adding a kids-only mode to TikTok which blocks the upload of videos, the building of user profiles, direct messaging, and commenting on others' videos, while still allowing the viewing and recording of content.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Dami|title=TikTok stops young users from uploading videos after FTC settlement|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/27/18243510/tiktok-age-young-user-videos-ftc-settlement-13-childrens-privacy-law|work=The Verge|url-status=live|access-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228011906/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/27/18243510/tiktok-age-young-user-videos-ftc-settlement-13-childrens-privacy-law|archive-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> In May 2020, an advocacy group filed a complaint with the FTC saying that TikTok had violated the terms of the February 2019 [[consent decree]], which sparked subsequent Congressional calls for a renewed FTC investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bartz|first=Diane|date=14 May 2020|title=Advocacy group says TikTok violated FTC consent decree and children's privacy rules|language=en|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-privacy-children-ftc-idUSKBN22Q0E2|url-status=live|access-date=14 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514165854/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-privacy-children-ftc-idUSKBN22Q0E2|archive-date=14 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=14 May 2020|title=TikTok Is Still Violating U.S. Child-Privacy Law, Groups Charge|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/tiktok-is-still-violating-u-s-child-privacy-law-groups-charge-1234606854/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527182217/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/tiktok-is-still-violating-u-s-child-privacy-law-groups-charge-1234606854/|archive-date=27 May 2020|access-date=27 May 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Dan|date=14 May 2020|title=Advocacy Groups Ask FTC to Reinvestigate TikTok Over Alleged COPPA Violations|url=https://www.law.com/corpcounsel/2020/05/14/advocacy-groups-ask-ftc-to-reinvestigate-tiktok-over-alleged-coppa-violations/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604115713/https://www.law.com/corpcounsel/2020/05/14/advocacy-groups-ask-ftc-to-reinvestigate-tiktok-over-alleged-coppa-violations/|archive-date=4 June 2020|access-date=27 May 2020|website=Corporate Counsel|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Miller|first=Maggie|date=28 May 2020|title=Democrats call on FTC to investigate allegations of TikTok child privacy violations|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|url=https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/499970-democrats-call-on-ftc-to-investigate-potential-tiktok-child-privacy|url-status=live|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603163346/https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/499970-democrats-call-on-ftc-to-investigate-potential-tiktok-child-privacy|archive-date=3 June 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, it was reported that the FTC and the [[United States Department of Justice]] had initiated investigations.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bartz|first=Diane|date=8 July 2020|title=Exclusive: U.S. probing allegations TikTok violated children's privacy - sources|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-privacy-children-exclusive-idUSKBN248373|url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708233112/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-privacy-children-exclusive-idUSKBN248373|archive-date=8 July 2020}}</ref>

==== UK Information Commissioner's Office investigation ====
In February 2019, the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[Information Commissioner's Office]] launched an investigation of TikTok following the fine ByteDance received from the United States [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC). Speaking to a parliamentary committee, Information Commissioner [[Elizabeth Denham]] said that the investigation focuses on the issues of private data collection, the kind of videos collected and shared by children online, as well as the platform's open messaging system which allows any adult to message any child. She noted that the company was potentially violating the [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR) which requires the company to provide different services and different protections for children.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hern|first=Alex|date=2 July 2019|title=TikTok under investigation over child data use|language=en-GB|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/02/tiktok-under-investigation-over-child-data-use|url-status=live|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708081842/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/02/tiktok-under-investigation-over-child-data-use|archive-date=8 July 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

====Italian Data Protection Authority====
On 22 January 2021, the Italian Data Protection Authority ordered the blocking of the use of the data of users whose age has not been established on the social network.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-22|title=Italy takes action against Tik Tok following girl's death|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/nation/story/2021-01-22/italy-takes-action-against-tik-tok-following-girls-death|access-date=2021-01-22|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Italy tells TikTok to block users after death of young girl|url=https://www.todayonline.com/world/italy-tells-tiktok-block-users-after-death-young-girl|access-date=2021-01-22|website=TODAYonline}}</ref> The order was issued after the death of a 10-year-old Sicilian girl, which occurred after the execution of a challenge shared by users of the platform that involved attempting to choke the user with a belt around the neck. The block is set to remain in place until 15 February, when it will be re-evaluated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Italy tells TikTok to block users after death of young girl|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/italy-tells-tiktok-to-block-users-after-death-of-young-girl-2021-1|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Business Insider}}</ref>

=== Cyberbullying ===
As with other platforms,<ref name="2018-11-16-cnetfr">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnetfrance.fr/news/les-dangers-de-tik-tok-pour-vos-enfants-et-comment-s-en-premunir-39876613.htm|title=Les dangers de Tik Tok pour vos enfants et comment s'en prémunir|website=CNET France|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024645/https://www.cnetfrance.fr/news/les-dangers-de-tik-tok-pour-vos-enfants-et-comment-s-en-premunir-39876613.htm|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> journalists in several countries have raised privacy concerns about the app, because it is popular with children and has the potential to be used by [[sexual predator]]s.<ref name="2018-11-16-cnetfr" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wnct.com/news/national/tik-tok-app-raises-concerns-for-young-users/1461767694|title=Tik Tok app raises concerns for young users|last=WSPA|date=20 September 2018|website=WNCT|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301164646/https://www.wnct.com/news/national/tik-tok-app-raises-concerns-for-young-users/1461767694|archive-date=1 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/community/article/2147993/tik-tok-worlds-most-popular-iphone-app-under-fire-over-lack|title=Tik Tok, currently the world's most popular iPhone app, under fire over lack of privacy settings – Tech News – The Star Online|first=Karen|last=Zhang|website=scmp.com|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303082457/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/community/article/2147993/tik-tok-worlds-most-popular-iphone-app-under-fire-over-lack|archive-date=3 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/j5zbmx/tiktok-the-app-super-popular-with-kids-has-a-nudes-problem|title=TikTok, the App Super Popular With Kids, Has a Nudes Problem|first1=Jason|last1=Koebler|first2=Joseph|last2=Cox|date=6 December 2018|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228232537/https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/j5zbmx/tiktok-the-app-super-popular-with-kids-has-a-nudes-problem|archive-date=28 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Several users have reported endemic [[cyberbullying]] on TikTok,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krishrach/tik-tok-users-bullying-abuse-complaints|title=TikTok Creators Say They Are Being Bullied And The Company Isn't Helping|website=BuzzFeed News|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024539/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krishrach/tik-tok-users-bullying-abuse-complaints|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jan/06/clock-is-ticking-experts-urge-caution-as-popularity-of-tiktok-surges-1921096.html|title=Clock is ticking: Experts urge caution as popularity of TikTok surges|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302090558/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jan/06/clock-is-ticking-experts-urge-caution-as-popularity-of-tiktok-surges-1921096.html|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> including racism<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/98559/what-is-tiktok-and-is-it-safe|title=What is TikTok and is it safe?|website=The Week UK|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024726/https://www.theweek.co.uk/98559/what-is-tiktok-and-is-it-safe|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[ableism]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drayton |first1=Tiffanie |title=Mom of child with autism pleads with TikTok to remove 'Autism Challenge' videos |url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/tiktok-autism-challenge/ |website=The Daily Dot |access-date=21 September 2020 |date=13 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Moss |first1=Haley |title=As an autistic person, the offensive #AutismChallenge TikTok trend reinforced my decision to stay away from the app |url=https://www.insider.com/autismchallenge-tiktok-trend-will-keep-me-away-from-app-2020-5 |website=Insider |access-date=21 September 2020 |date=15 May 2020 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200519023445/https://www.insider.com/autismchallenge-tiktok-trend-will-keep-me-away-from-app-2020-5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Olivia |title=The Latest TikTok Trend Is Bringing Out The Worst In People |url=https://gritdaily.com/the-latest-tiktok-trend-new-teacher-challenge/ |website=Grit Daily |access-date=21 September 2020 |date=27 August 2020}}</ref> In December 2019, following a report by German digital rights group [[Netzpolitik.org]], TikTok admitted that it had suppressed videos by disabled users as well as LGBTQ+ users in a purported effort to limit cyberbullying.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6250923/tiktok-policy-suppressing-persons-lgbtq-disabilities/|title=TikTok admits to suppressing videos from some persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2 community|last=Lao|first=David|date=3 December 2019|publisher=[[Global News]]|access-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206004235/https://globalnews.ca/news/6250923/tiktok-policy-suppressing-persons-lgbtq-disabilities/|archive-date=6 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theintercept">{{Cite news|last1=Biddle|first1=Sam|url=https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/tiktok-app-moderators-users-discrimination/|title=Invisible Censorship – TikTok Told Moderators to Suppress Posts by "Ugly" People and the Poor to Attract New Users|date=16 March 2020|work=[[The Intercept]]|access-date=17 March 2020|url-status=live|last2=Ribeiro|first2=Paulo Victor|last3=Dias|first3=Tatiana|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317011112/https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/tiktok-app-moderators-users-discrimination/|archive-date=17 March 2020}}</ref> TikTok's moderators were also told to suppress users with "abnormal body shape", "ugly facial looks", "too many wrinkles", or in "slums, rural fields" and "dilapidated housing" to prevent bullying.<ref name="Biddle">{{cite web|title=Invisible Censorship: TikTok Told Moderators to Suppress Posts by "Ugly" People and the Poor to Attract New Users|url=https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/tiktok-app-moderators-users-discrimination/|last1=Biddle|first1=Sam|last2=Ribeiro|first2=Paulo Victor|date=16 March 2020|website=The Intercept|language=en-US|access-date=27 May 2020|last3=Dias|first3=Tatiana|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317011112/https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/tiktok-app-moderators-users-discrimination/|archive-date=17 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Microtransactions===
Tiktok has received criticism for enabling children to spend large sums of money purchasing coins to send to other users.<ref>https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/girl-11-blows-mums-3500-19122959</ref>

== Legal issues ==
===Tencent lawsuits===
[[Tencent]]'s [[WeChat]] platform has been accused of blocking Douyin's videos.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://asiatimes.com/article/tencent-and-toutiao-come-out-swinging-at-each-other/|title=Tencent and Toutiao come out swinging at each other|access-date=11 October 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.todayonline.com/world/tencent-sues-toutiao-alleged-defamation-demands-1-yuan-and-apology|title=Tencent sues Toutiao for alleged defamation, demands 1 yuan and apology|work=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|TODAYonline]]|access-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011133612/https://www.todayonline.com/world/tencent-sues-toutiao-alleged-defamation-demands-1-yuan-and-apology|archive-date=11 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2018, Douyin sued Tencent and accused it of spreading false and damaging information on its WeChat platform, demanding [[CNY|CN¥]]1 million in compensation and an apology. In June 2018, Tencent filed a lawsuit against [[Toutiao]] and Douyin in a Beijing court, alleging they had repeatedly defamed Tencent with negative news and damaged its reputation, seeking a nominal sum of CN¥1 in compensation and a public apology.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-toutiao-lawsuit/tencent-sues-toutiao-for-alleged-defamation-demands-1-yuan-and-apology-idUSKCN1IX4MB|title=Tencent sues Toutiao for alleged defamation, demands 1 yuan and apology|last=Jiang|first=Sijia|publisher=Reuters|date=1 June 2018|access-date=11 October 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011133631/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-toutiao-lawsuit/tencent-sues-toutiao-for-alleged-defamation-demands-1-yuan-and-apology-idUSKCN1IX4MB|archive-date=11 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, Toutiao filed a complaint the following day against Tencent for allegedly [[unfair competition]] and asking for CN¥90 million in economic losses.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Yijun|first=Yin|date=June 4, 2018|title=Tencent and ByteDance Take Ongoing Feud to Court|work=[[Sixth Tone]]|url=https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002406/tencent-and-bytedance-take-ongoing-feud-to-court|access-date=October 10, 2020}}</ref>

=== Data transfer class action lawsuit ===
In November 2019, a [[class action]] lawsuit was filed in California that alleged that TikTok transferred personally identifiable information of U.S. persons to servers located in China owned by Tencent and [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50640110 |title=TikTok sent user data to China, US lawsuit claims |date=3 December 2019 |work=BBC News |access-date=5 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205021729/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50640110|archive-date=5 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/california-class-action-lawsuit-accuses-tiktok-of-illegally-harvesting-data-and-sending-it-to-china |title=California Class-Action Lawsuit Accuses TikTok of Illegally Harvesting Data and Sending It to China |last=Montgomery |first=Blake |date=2 December 2019 |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203142027/https://www.thedailybeast.com/california-class-action-lawsuit-accuses-tiktok-of-illegally-harvesting-data-and-sending-it-to-china |archive-date=3 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/f/614859/tiktok-lawsuit-privacy-china-cfius-investigation-global-internet/ |title=TikTok's second lawsuit in a week brings a US ban a shade closer |last=Chen |first=Angela |date=5 December 2019 |work=[[MIT Technology Review]] |access-date=5 December 2019 |archive-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023725/https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/12/05/75079/tiktok-lawsuit-privacy-china-cfius-investigation-global-internet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The lawsuit also accused ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, of taking user content without their permission. The plaintiff of the lawsuit, college student Misty Hong, downloaded the app but said she never created an account. She realized a few months later that TikTok has created an account for her using her information (such as biometric) and made a summary of her information. The lawsuit also alleged that information was sent to Chinese tech giant [[Baidu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gdpr.report/news/2019/12/04/privacy-tiktok-found-secretly-transferring-user-data-to-china/ |title=#Privacy: TikTok found secretly transferring user data to China |first=Meera |last=Narendra |date=4 December 2019 |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023718/https://gdpr.report/news/2019/12/04/privacy-tiktok-found-secretly-transferring-user-data-to-china/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2020, twenty lawsuits against TikTok were merged into a single class action lawsuit in the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Allyn|first=Bobby|date=4 August 2020|title=Class-Action Lawsuit Claims TikTok Steals Kids' Data And Sends It To China|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/04/898836158/class-action-lawsuit-claims-tiktok-steals-kids-data-and-sends-it-to-china|url-status=live|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822023655/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/04/898836158/class-action-lawsuit-claims-tiktok-steals-kids-data-and-sends-it-to-china}}</ref> In February 2021, TikTok agreed to pay $92 million to settle the class action lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Allyn|first=Bobby|date=February 25, 2021|title=TikTok To Pay $92 Million To Settle Class-Action Suit Over 'Theft' Of Personal Data|work=[[NPR]]|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/25/971460327/tiktok-to-pay-92-million-to-settle-class-action-suit-over-theft-of-personal-data|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Likee]]
* [[List of most-liked TikTok videos]]
* [[List of most-followed TikTok accounts]]
* [[Timeline of social media]]
* [[Triller (app)|Triller]]
* [[Byte (app)|Byte]]
* [[https://aamods.com/capcut-mod-apk/]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.tiktok.com/en/ Official website] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.bytedance.com/en/ ByteDance official website] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.douyin.com/ Douyin] {{in lang|zh}}

[[Category:TikTok| ]]
[[Category:2016 software]]
[[Category:2010s fads and trends]]
[[Category:2020s fads and trends]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2016]]
[[Category:2016 establishments in China]]
[[Category:Chinese companies established in 2016]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:ByteDance]]
[[Category:Chinese brands]]
[[Category:Freeware]]
[[Category:Internet culture]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:Mobile applications]]
[[Category:Music software]]
[[Category:Social networking services]]
[[Category:Video hosting]]
[[Category:Video software]]
[[Category:Youth culture]]
[[Category:Delisted applications]]
[[Category:Social media companies]]

{{en-Wikipedia}}

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

TikTok App