View source for Software:TikTok

{{Infobox software
| title = TikTok Pte. Ltd.
| name = TikTok
| logo = {{dark mode switch|220px|220px}}
| collapsible = yes
| screenshot = TikTok.com Screenshot.png
| screenshot size = 200px
| caption = Screenshot of TikTok.com homepage, June 2025
| developer = [[Company:ByteDance|ByteDance]]
* [[Company:ByteDance|ByteDance]]
* TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC
| released = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2016|9|20}} <!-- This parameter is reserved for the software's earliest known release ONLY, DO NOT add any subsequent releases or developments; those are stated elsewhere in the article. -->
| ver layout = stacked
| discontinued = No
| operating system = {{ubl|[[Software:IOS 12|iOS 12]] or later|[[Software:IPadOS|iPadOS]]|[[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[Software:Android TV|Android TV]]|[[Software:VisionOS|visionOS]]|[[Software:HarmonyOS|HarmonyOS]]}}
| replaces = {{ubl|[[Software:Musical.ly|musical.ly]]|[[Software:Live.ly|live.ly]]}}
| language = {{hlist|[[Social:Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]|[[Social:Arabic|Arabic]]|[[Social:Bengali language|Bengali]]|[[Social:Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]]|[[Social:Burmese language|Burmese]]|[[Social:Cebuano language|Cebuano]]|Chinese ([[Social:Traditional Chinese characters|traditional]] and [[Social:Simplified Chinese characters|simplified]])|Croatian|[[Social:Czech language|Czech]]|[[Dutch language|Dutch]]|[[Social:English language|English]]|[[Social:Filipino language|Filipino]]|[[French language|French]]|[[German language|German]]|[[Greek language|Greek]]|[[Social:Gujarati language|Gujarati]]|[[Social:Hindi|Hindi]]|[[Social:Hungarian language|Hungarian]]|[[Social:Indonesian language|Indonesian]]|[[Social:Italian language|Italian]]|[[Japanese language|Japanese]]|[[Social:Javanese language|Javanese]]|[[Social:Kannada|Kannada]]|[[Social:Kazakh language|Kazakh]]|[[Social:Khmer language|Khmer]]|[[Social:Korean language|Korean]]|[[Social:Latvian language|Latvian]]|[[Social:Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]]|[[Social:Malay language|Malay]]|[[Social:Malayalam|Malayalam]]|[[Social:Marathi language|Marathi]]|[[Social:Odia language|Odia]]|[[Polish language|Polish]]|[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] (Brazilian)|[[Social:Punjabi language|Punjabi]]|[[Social:Romanian language|Romanian]]|[[Russian language|Russian]]|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]|[[Swedish language|Swedish]]|[[Tamil language|Tamil]]|[[Social:Telugu language|Telugu]]|[[Social:Thai language|Thai]]|[[Social:Turkish language|Turkish]]|[[Social:Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]]|[[Social:Uzbek language|Uzbek]]|[[Social:Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]}}
| language count = 50
| language footnote = <ref name="tunes">{{cite web|title=TikTok – Make Your Day|url=https://apps.apple.com/app/tiktok-real-short-videos/id835599320|publisher=[[ITunes Store|iTunes Store]]|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 = {{ubl|Video sharing|[[Social:Social media|Social media]]}}
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = {{official URL}}
}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Douyin
| logo = {{dark mode switch|154px|154px}}
| collapsible = yes
| screenshot = Douyin.com Screenshot.png
| screenshot size = 200px
| caption = Screenshot of Douyin.com homepage, 2023
| developer = Beijing Douyin Technology Co., Ltd.
| released = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2016|9|20}} <!-- This parameter is reserved for the software's earliest known release ONLY, DO NOT add any subsequent releases or developments; those are stated elsewhere in the article. -->
| ver layout = stacked
| discontinued = No
| latest release version = 
| operating system = {{ubl|[[Software:IOS 11|iOS 11]] and later|iPadOS 11 and later|Android 6.0 and later|[[Software:Windows 7|Windows 7]] and later|macOS 10.13 and later}}
| replaces = 
| language = Simplified Chinese, [[Social:English language|English]]
| genre = Video sharing
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| language count = 
| language footnote = <ref>{{cite web |title=抖音 |url=https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/id1142110895/ |website=App Store |access-date=15 March 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217214058/https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/%E6%8A%96%E9%9F%B3/id1142110895 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| website = {{URL|https://douyin.com}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Douyin
| c = 抖音
| p = Dǒuyīn
| tp = Dǒu-yin
| bpmf = ㄉㄡˇ ㄧㄣ
| gr = Doouin
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|d|ou|3|.|yin|1}}
| l = "Vibrating sound"
| j = dau2 jam1
| y = Dáuyām
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|d|au|2|-|j|am|1}}
}}

'''TikTok''', known in mainland China, [[Place:Macau|Macau]], and [[Place:Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grundy |first=Tom |date=2024-03-15 |title=Why is TikTok blocked in Hong Kong? |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2024/03/15/explainer-why-is-tiktok-blocked-in-hong-kong/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref> as '''Douyin''' ({{Lang-zh|c=抖音|p=Dǒuyīn|l=Shaking Sound}}),<ref name="citizenlab/tiktok-douyin">{{cite journal |last1=Lin |first1=Pellaeon |date=22 March 2021 |title=TikTok vs Douyin: A Security and Privacy Analysis |url=https://citizenlab.ca/2021/03/tiktok-vs-douyin-security-privacy-analysis/ |access-date=5 January 2023 |website=Citizen Lab |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716205539/https://citizenlab.ca/2021/03/tiktok-vs-douyin-security-privacy-analysis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is a [[Social:Social media|social media]] and [[Engineering:Short-form content|short-form]] [[Online video platform|online video platform]]. It hosts user-submitted videos, which range in duration from three seconds to 60 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2024 |title=TikTok says it's testing letting users post 60-minute videos |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiktok-60-minute-videos-posing-potential-threat-to-youtube/ |access-date=19 May 2024 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=31 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531090902/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiktok-60-minute-videos-posing-potential-threat-to-youtube/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It can be accessed through a [[Mobile app|mobile app]] or through its [[Website|website]].

Since its launch, TikTok has become one of the world's most popular social media platforms, using recommendation algorithms to connect [[Social:Content creation|content creators]] and [[Social:Influencer|influencer]]s with new audiences.<ref name="CNNFung2024" /> In April 2020, TikTok surpassed two billion mobile downloads worldwide.<ref name="TheVerge20200429" /> [[Company:Cloudflare|Cloudflare]] ranked TikTok the most popular website of 2021, surpassing [[Software:Google Search|Google]].<ref>{{cite web |date=22 December 2021 |title=TikTok surpasses Google as most popular website of the year, new data suggests |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tiktok-surpasses-google-popular-website-year-new-data-suggests-rcna9648 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920105331/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tiktok-surpasses-google-popular-website-year-new-data-suggests-rcna9648 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |access-date=7 January 2022 |website=NBC News |publisher=}}</ref> The popularity of TikTok has allowed viral trends in food, [[Social:Cultural impact of TikTok#Fashion|fashion]], and music to take off and increase the [[Social:Cultural impact of TikTok|platform's cultural impact]] worldwide.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Miltsov |first1=Alex |date=2022 |chapter=Researching TikTok: Themes, Methods, and Future Directions |title=The SAGE Handbook of Social Media Research Methods |pages=664–676|doi=10.4135/9781529782943.n46 | publisher=SAGE Publications Ltd |isbn=978-1-5297-2096-9 |quote=Even though TikTok is only a few years old, it has already been shaping the ways millions of people interact online and engage in artistic, cultural, social, and political activities.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tashjian |first=Rachel |date=May 6, 2024 |title="How TikTok changed fashion" |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/fashion/2024/05/06/met-gala-tiktok/}}</ref>

TikTok has come under scrutiny due to data privacy violations, mental health concerns, misinformation, offensive content, [[Medicine:Problematic social media use|addictive algorithm]], its role during the Gaza war,<ref name="mahe" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Maheshwari |first=Sapna |date=2024-03-28 |title=How the Israel-Hamas War Has Roiled TikTok Internally |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/business/tiktok-israel-hamas-war-gaza.html |access-date=2024-07-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726234020/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/business/tiktok-israel-hamas-war-gaza.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=How TikTok keeps its users scrolling for hours a day |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/interactive/2025/tiktok-addiction-algorithm-scrolling-mental-health/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011204636/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/interactive/2025/tiktok-addiction-algorithm-scrolling-mental-health/ |archive-date=11 October 2025 |access-date=2025-12-08 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> and, following its 2026 divestiture in the U.S., alleged censorship of criticism of Donald Trump and discussions of Jeffrey Epstein.<ref name=indyepstein/> While TikTok remains accessible to users in most countries, a minority of countries (including India and Afghanistan) have implemented full or partial bans. Many other countries limit TikTok's use on government-issued devices for security or privacy reasons.<ref name="mahe">{{Cite news |last1=Maheshwari |first1=Sapna |last2=Holpuch |first2=Amanda |date=12 December 2023 |title=Why Countries Are Trying to Ban TikTok |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/tiktok-ban.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128040034/https://www.nytimes.com/article/tiktok-ban.html |archive-date=28 November 2023 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Peterson-2024">{{Cite news |last1=Peterson |first1=Kristina |last2=Volz |first2=Dustin |last3=Andrews |first3=Natalie |date=15 March 2024 |title=TikTok's Fate Now Hinges on the Senate |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/tiktoks-fate-now-hinges-on-the-senate-82bad00f |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 March 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316034629/https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/tiktoks-fate-now-hinges-on-the-senate-82bad00f|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Corporate structure ==
TikTok Ltd was incorporated in the [[Finance:Cayman Islands|Cayman Islands]] in the Caribbean and is based in both [[Place:Singapore|Singapore]] and Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Joe |last2=Soo |first2=Zen |date=24 March 2023 |title=Why does US see Chinese-owned TikTok as a security threat? |url=https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-shou-zi-chew-8d8a6a9694357040d484670b7f4833be |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003205752/https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-shou-zi-chew-8d8a6a9694357040d484670b7f4833be |archive-date=3 October 2023 |access-date=3 October 2023 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> It owns entities which are based respectively in Australia (which also runs the New Zealand business), United Kingdom (also owns subsidiaries in the [[Social:European Union|European Union]]), and Singapore (owns operations in Southeast Asia and India).<ref>{{cite web |last=Campo |first=Richard |date=24 July 2023 |title=Is TikTok a national security threat? |url=https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2023/07/26/is-tiktok-a-national-security-threat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814073919/https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2023/07/26/is-tiktok-a-national-security-threat/ |archive-date=14 August 2023 |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=Chicago Policy Review}}</ref><ref name="cnbc2020">{{cite news |last=Shead |first=Sam |date=8 October 2020 |title=What a TikTok exec told the British government about the app that we didn't already know |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/23/what-tiktok-told-the-uk-government-about-the-app-that-we-didnt-know.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814073919/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/23/what-tiktok-told-the-uk-government-about-the-app-that-we-didnt-know.html |archive-date=14 August 2023 |access-date=14 August 2023 |publisher=CNBC}}</ref>

A spin-off company, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC was formed on 22 January 2026 to handle TikTok and other [[Company:ByteDance|ByteDance]] properties in the United States,<ref>{{ Cite news |last=Andorno |first=Jose |title=TikTok In America Is Now US-Owned With Major Changes Coming |date=24 January 2026 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-america-now-us-owned-224509941.html |publisher=Yahoo Finance |access-date=31 January 2026}}</ref> [[Company:Oracle Corporation|Oracle Corporation]], MGX Fund Management Limited, Silver Lake each holding a 15% stake, ByteDance holds a 19.9% stake and the remaining 35.1% is shared between [[Company:Dell Technologies|Dell Technologies]] founder Michael Dell and Vastmere Strategic Investments.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TikTok closes deal to split US app from global business|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3edd1l328lo|website=BBC News|date=2026-01-23|access-date=2026-01-23|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Its parent company, [[Place:Beijing|Beijing]]-based ByteDance, is owned by founders and Chinese investors, other global investors, and employees.<ref name="Goujard2023" /> One of ByteDance's main domestic subsidiaries is owned by Chinese state funds and entities through a 1% [[Finance:Golden share|golden share]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 2021 |title=Beijing takes stake, board seat in ByteDance's key China entity – The Information |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/bytedance-says-china-unit-holds-local-licences-response-media-report-2021-08-16/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816152918/https://www.reuters.com/technology/bytedance-says-china-unit-holds-local-licences-response-media-report-2021-08-16/ |archive-date=16 August 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 August 2021 |title=China state firms invest in TikTok sibling, Weibo chat app |url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-joe-biden-business-china-51135a4c6ff4fd7ee80b4c94652b9ed5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818210541/https://apnews.com/article/technology-joe-biden-business-china-51135a4c6ff4fd7ee80b4c94652b9ed5 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 December 2021 |title=Fretting about data security, China's government expands its use of 'golden shares' |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/china-regulation-data-idCAKBN2IU2B7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224043509/https://www.reuters.com/article/china-regulation-data-idCAKBN2IU2B7 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |access-date=24 February 2022 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> Employees have reported that multiple overlaps exist between TikTok and ByteDance in terms of personnel management and product development.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Caiwei |last2=Zhou |first2=Viola |date=7 May 2024 |title=Despite international hires, TikTok is Chinese at its core |url=https://restofworld.org/2024/tiktok-chinese-us-ban/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Rest of World |archive-date=7 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507162552/https://restofworld.org/2024/tiktok-chinese-us-ban/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sternlicht-2024">{{Cite news |last=Sternlicht |first=Alexandra |date=15 April 2024 |title=Some ex-TikTok employees say the social media service worked closely with its China-based parent despite claims of independence |url=https://fortune.com/2024/04/15/tiktok-china-data-sharing-bytedance-project-texas/ |access-date=15 April 2024 |work=Fortune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Baker-White |first1=Emily |date=11 March 2022 |title=Inside Project Texas, TikTok's Big Answer To US Lawmakers' China Fears |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilybakerwhite/tiktok-project-texas-bytedance-user-data |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101105309/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilybakerwhite/tiktok-project-texas-bytedance-user-data |archive-date=1 November 2023 |access-date=25 November 2023 |work=BuzzFeed News}}</ref><ref name="Rodriguez-2021" /> TikTok says that since 2020, its US-based CEO is responsible for making important decisions, and has downplayed its China connection.<ref name="Rodriguez-2021">{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Salvador |date=25 June 2021 |title=TikTok insiders say social media company is tightly controlled by Chinese parent ByteDance |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/25/tiktok-insiders-say-chinese-parent-bytedance-in-control.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212010704/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/25/tiktok-insiders-say-chinese-parent-bytedance-in-control.html |archive-date=12 December 2021 |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Douyin ===
{{Redirect-distinguish|Douyin|Doujin}}

Douyin was launched on September 20, 2016, by ByteDance, originally under the name ''A.me'', before changing its name 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> Douyin was developed in nearly 7 months and within a year had 100&nbsp;million users, with more than one billion videos viewed every day.<ref name="Graziani-2018">{{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 news|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>

While TikTok and Douyin share a similar [[User interface|user interface]], the platforms operate separately.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2023 |title=TikTok is owned by a Chinese company. So why doesn't it exist there? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/24/tech/tiktok-douyin-bytedance-china-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=13 July 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604115038/https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/24/tech/tiktok-douyin-bytedance-china-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="citizenlab/tiktok-douyin" /><ref>{{cite news |date=16 May 2019 |title=Forget The Trade War. TikTok Is China's Most Important Export Right Now. |work=BuzzFeed News |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanhatesthis/forget-the-trade-war-tiktok-is-chinas-most-important-export |url-status=live |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}}</ref> Douyin includes an in-video search feature that can search by people's faces for more videos of them, along with other features such as buying, booking hotels, and making [[Engineering:Geotagging|geo-tagged]] reviews.<ref>{{cite news |last=Niewenhuis |first=Lucas |date=25 September 2019 |title=The difference between TikTok and Douyin |url=https://supchina.com/2019/09/25/the-difference-between-tiktok-and-douyin/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927210034/https://supchina.com/2019/09/25/the-difference-between-tiktok-and-douyin/ |archive-date=27 September 2020 |access-date=February 4, 2026 |website=SupChina}}</ref>

=== TikTok ===
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 |title=TikTok's Rise to Global Markets |url=https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/W19666-PDF-ENG |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=hbsp.harvard.edu |archive-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717213511/https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/W19666-PDF-ENG |url-status=live }}</ref>

ByteDance created TikTok as an overseas version of Douyin. 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 9 November 2017, ByteDance spent nearly $1 billion to purchase [[Software:Musical.ly|Musical.ly]], a startup headquartered in [[Place:Shanghai|Shanghai]] with an overseas office in Santa Monica, California.<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=The Wall Street Journal|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=https://www.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. TikTok merged with Musical.ly on 2 August 2018 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|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230132224/https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/2/17644260/musically-rebrand-tiktok-bytedance-douyin|url-status=live}}</ref><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|publisher=MSN|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}}</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|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>

On 23 January 2018, the TikTok app ranked first among free application downloads on [[Software:App store|app store]]s 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&nbsp;million times in the United States and has reached 2&nbsp;billion downloads worldwide,<ref name=TheVerge20200429>{{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 |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> according to data from mobile research firm Sensor Tower (those numbers exclude [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]] users in China).<ref>{{cite web |last=Yurieff |first=Kaya |date=21 November 2018 |title=TikTok is the latest social network sensation |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/21/tech/tiktok-app/index.html |url-status=live |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 |website=CNN |publisher=}}</ref>

In the United States, Jimmy Fallon, Tony Hawk, and other celebrities began using the app 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 like Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Will Smith, and Justin Bieber joined TikTok.<ref>{{cite news|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/|newspaper=People |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> In January 2019, TikTok allowed creators to embed merchandise sale links into their videos.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yuan |first1=Lin |last2=Xia |first2=Hao |last3=Ye |first3=Qiang |date=16 August 2022 |title=The effect of advertising strategies on a short video platform: evidence from TikTok |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IMDS-12-2021-0754/full/html |journal=Industrial Management & Data Systems |language=en |volume=122 |issue=8 |pages=1956–1974 |doi=10.1108/IMDS-12-2021-0754 |s2cid=251508287 |issn=0263-5577 |access-date=9 December 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326025333/https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IMDS-12-2021-0754/full/html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> On 3 September 2019, TikTok and the US National Football League (NFL) announced a multi-year partnership.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/03/the-nfl-joins-tiktok-in-multi-year-partnership/ |title=The NFL joins TikTok in multi-year partnership |website=TechCrunch |date=3 September 2019 |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 came just two days before the NFL's 100th season kick-off at Soldier Field in Chicago 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 [[Internet challenge|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="Influencer Marketing Hub-2019">{{cite web|date=11 January 2019|title=50 TikTok Stats That Will Blow Your Mind in 2020 [UPDATED ]|url=https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-stats/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604073536/https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-stats/|archive-date=4 June 2020|access-date=12 October 2020|website=Influencer Marketing Hub}}</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|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501165549/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-bytedance-cfo-singapore-kevin-mayer-2425785|archive-date=1 May 2021|access-date=1 May 2021|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=May 2021 }}</ref> who assumed the position from interim CEO Vanessa Pappas, following the resignation of Kevin A. Mayer on 27 August 2020.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=27 August 2020|title=TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer quits after 4 months|work=Fortune (magazine)|publisher=Bloomberg News|url=https://fortune.com/2020/08/27/tiktok-ceo-kevin-mayer-quits-us-sale|url-status=live|access-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025121635/https://fortune.com/2020/08/27/tiktok-ceo-kevin-mayer-quits-us-sale/|archive-date=25 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Zeitchik |first=Steven |date=18 May 2020 |title=In surprise move, a top Disney executive will run TikTok |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/18/kevin-mayer-disney-tiktok/ |url-status=live |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 |access-date=22 June 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 August 2020 |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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224221805/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-28/australian-vanessa-pappas-appointed-tiktok-interim-ceo/12606814 |archive-date=24 December 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |newspaper=ABC News}}</ref> In September 2021, TikTok reported that it had reached 1 billion users.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lyons |first=Kim |date=27 September 2021 |title=TikTok says it has passed 1 billion users |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/27/22696281/tiktok-1-billion-users |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606112016/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/27/22696281/tiktok-1-billion-users |archive-date=6 June 2023 |access-date=20 October 2021 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> In 2021, TikTok earned $4 billion in advertising revenue.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 July 2022 |title=The all-conquering quaver |url=https://www.economist.com/interactive/briefing/2022/07/09/the-all-conquering-quaver |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815042659/https://www.economist.com/interactive/briefing/2022/07/09/the-all-conquering-quaver |archive-date=15 August 2023 |access-date=10 July 2022 |newspaper=[[Finance:The Economist|The Economist]]}}</ref>

In October 2022, TikTok was reported to be planning an expansion into the [[Social:E-commerce|e-commerce]] market in the US, following the launch of [[Finance:TikTok Shop|TikTok Shop]] in the United Kingdom. The company posted job listings for staff for a series of order fulfillment centers in the US and is reportedly planning to start the new live shopping business before the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Belanger |first1=Ashley |date=12 October 2022 |title=TikTok wants to be Amazon, plans US fullfillment centers and poaches staff |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/10/tiktok-wants-to-be-amazon-plans-us-fullfillment-centers-and-poaches-staff/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115102212/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/10/tiktok-wants-to-be-amazon-plans-us-fullfillment-centers-and-poaches-staff/ |archive-date=15 January 2023 |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref> The ''Financial Times'' reported that TikTok will launch a video gaming channel, but the report was denied in a statement to Digiday, with TikTok instead aiming to be a social hub for the gaming community.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Criddle |first1=Cristina |last2=McGee |first2=Patrick |date=26 October 2022 |title=TikTok to launch standalone gaming channel |url=https://www.ft.com/content/61d45084-b171-4894-ad3b-ac44ef5d0bf6 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519085438/https://www.ft.com/content/61d45084-b171-4894-ad3b-ac44ef5d0bf6 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=[[Social:Financial Times|Financial Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Alexander |date=3 November 2022 |title=TikTok denies plans for an ad-driven gaming tab as it works to embrace the gaming community |url=https://digiday.com/marketing/tiktok-denies-plans-for-an-ad-driven-gaming-tab-as-it-works-to-embrace-the-gaming-community/ |access-date=28 November 2023 |website=Digiday |language=en-US |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324191349/https://digiday.com/marketing/tiktok-denies-plans-for-an-ad-driven-gaming-tab-as-it-works-to-embrace-the-gaming-community/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to data from app analytics group Sensor Tower, advertising on TikTok in the US grew by 11% in March 2023, with companies including Pepsi, [[Company:DoorDash|DoorDash]], [[Company:Amazon|Amazon]], and [[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple]] among the top spenders. According to estimates from research group Insider Intelligence, TikTok is projected to generate $14.15 billion in revenue in 2023, up from $9.89 billion in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brands increase TikTok spending despite threat of US ban |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b91aceb7-3416-4f52-b9de-66988c6c8b0c |work=Financial Times |year=2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821095325/https://www.ft.com/content/b91aceb7-3416-4f52-b9de-66988c6c8b0c |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2024, ''The'' ''Wall Street Journal'' reported that TikTok's growth in the US had stagnated.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bobrowsky |first1=Meghan |last2=Wells |first2=Georgia |title=TikTok's American Growth Is Already Stalling |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/tiktoks-american-growth-is-already-stalling-980aa276 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317170749/https://www.wsj.com/tech/tiktoks-american-growth-is-already-stalling-980aa276 |archive-date=17 March 2024 |access-date=17 March 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Plans to sell TikTok's US operations ====
Since at least 2020, following calls to ban TikTok in the country, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has been investigating the company's 2017 merger with Musical.ly but has not finalized any of its negotiations with TikTok, such as the Project Texas proposal, waiting instead for [[United States Congress|Congress]] to act.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Primack |first1=Dan |date=2024 |title=Congress is cracking down on TikTok because CFIUS hasn't |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/congress-is-cracking-down-on-tiktok-because-cfius-hasn-t/ar-BB1jM9Vt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316163734/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/congress-is-cracking-down-on-tiktok-because-cfius-hasn-t/ar-BB1jM9Vt |archive-date=16 March 2024 |access-date=February 4, 2026 |work=Axios}}</ref>

In January 2025, Chinese officials began preliminary talks about potentially selling TikTok's US operations to [[Biography:Elon Musk|Elon Musk]] if the app faced an impending ban due to national security concerns. While Beijing preferred TikTok remain under ByteDance's control, the sale could happen through a competitive process or with US government involvement. One possibility involved Musk's platform, [[Company:Twitter|X]], taking over TikTok's US business. The move came ahead of a Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of a law that would force a sale or ban of TikTok in the US by 19 January 2025, due to national security concerns regarding its ties to China.<ref>{{cite news|title=China mulls potential sale of TikTok US to Musk, Bloomberg News reports |date=13 January 2025 |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/china-mulls-potential-sale-tiktok-us-musk-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-01-14/ |website=Reuters |access-date=14 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="Associated Press-2025">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-17 |title=Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok if it's not sold by its Chinese parent company |url=https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-security-speech-166f7c794ee587d3385190f893e52777 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Other potential buyers included Project Liberty's "The People's Bid For TikTok" consortium<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=Group Led By Billionaire Frank McCourt Makes Formal Bid to Buy TikTok |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/frank-mccourt-project-liberty-tiktok_n_677fe3cde4b09fe8a981e136 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref> of Frank McCourt with Kevin O'Leary, Steven Mnuchin, MrBeast<ref>{{Cite web |last=Power |first=Shannon |date=2025-01-14 |title=MrBeast offers to buy TikTok to stop ban |url=https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-tiktok-ban-buy-2014470 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> and Bobby Kotick, the seriousness of these potential buyers was unclear.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-16 |title=Who could buy TikTok? Only a few parties are serious about offering |url=https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-buyers-divestment-ban-8429dfb422c4cefb6b0807aeb2c5cd56 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> The day before the impending ban, California-based conversational search engine company [[Software:Perplexity AI|Perplexity AI]] submitted a bid for a merger with TikTok US.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ha |first=Anthony |date=2025-01-18 |title=Perplexity AI submits bid to merge with TikTok |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/18/perplexity-ai-submits-bid-to-merge-with-tiktok/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Perplexity AI bids to merge with TikTok US amid looming ban, source says |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2025/01/18/tiktok-ban-perplexity-ai-potential-merger/77809771007/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-18 |title=Perplexity AI has reportedly submitted an 11th-hour bid to save TikTok in the US |url=https://www.engadget.com/social-media/perplexity-ai-has-reportedly-submitted-an-11th-hour-bid-to-save-tiktok-in-the-us-215012514.html |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Perplexity AI bids to merge with TikTok US, source says |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/perplexity-ai-bids-merge-tiktok-us-source-says-4876451 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=CNA |language=en }} </ref>

On September 14, 2025, the ''Wall Street Journal'' reported the US and China have reached the "framework of a deal" for the US operations of TikTok to be sold to a consortium of investors in the US including close Trump ally Larry Ellison of [[Company:Oracle Corporation|Oracle]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allyn |first=Bobby |date=2025-10-06 |title=Who is Larry Ellison, the billionaire Trump friend who's part of the TikTok takeover? |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/10/06/nx-s1-5560216/who-is-larry-ellison-the-billionaire-trump-friend-whos-part-of-the-tiktok-takeover |access-date=2025-10-14 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref> The deal was completed by January 22, 2026, with investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, MGX, and others including the personal investment entity for Michael Dell owning more than 80% of the new venture,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=McCabe |first1=David |last2=Lindner |first2=Emmett |date=22 January 2026 |title=TikTok Strikes Deal for New U.S. Entity, Ending Long Legal Saga |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/technology/tiktok-deal-oracle-bytedance-china-us.html |access-date=24 January 2026 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> with ByteDance retaining 19.9% ownership. Under the deal, the app will remain the same, and the algorithm will be adjusted over time to favor American topics for those users.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://abcnews.go.com/Business/tiktok-finalizes-deal-operating-us/story?id=129475609 | title = TikTok finalizes deal to keep operating in US | first1 = Elizabeth | last1 = Schulze | first2 = Selina | last2 = Wang | date = January 22, 2026 | accessdate = January 22, 2026 | work = ABC News }}</ref>

=== Expansion in other markets ===
[[File:TikTok Headquarters.jpg|thumb|TikTok headquarters in [[Culver City, California]], June 2024]]
[[File:Availability of TikTok in the World (2025–present).svg|thumb|300x300px|{{ubl
|{{legend|#25f4eeff|TikTok available}}
|{{legend|#6bff86ff|TikTok available, but under a ''de jure'' ban}}
|{{legend|#fffc4dff|TikTok available, but under a ''de facto'' ban}}
|{{legend|#b3b3b3ff|TikTok unavailable}}}}]]

TikTok was downloaded over 104&nbsp;million times on Apple's App Store during the first half of 2018, according to data provided to CNBC by Sensor Tower.<ref name="Chen-2018">{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Qian |title=The biggest trend in Chinese social media is dying, and another has already taken its place |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/19/short-video-apps-like-douyin-tiktok-are-dominating-chinese-screens.html |publisher=CNBC |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=18 January 2022 |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919112128/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/19/short-video-apps-like-douyin-tiktok-are-dominating-chinese-screens.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 name="Graziani-2018" /> 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|publisher=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 [[Company:Facebook|Facebook]], [[Company:YouTube|YouTube]] and [[Software:Instagram|Instagram]].<ref name="Chen-2018" /><ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=TechCrunch|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 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|publisher=CNBC|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.|archive-date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215225232/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/14/microsoft-bid-for-tiktoks-us-operations-rejected-by-bytedance.html|url-status=live}}</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|publisher=CNBC|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102233308/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/25/tiktok-deal-timeline-the-latest-in-the-messy-saga-as-ban-looms.html|url-status=live}}</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=6 November 2020|publisher=Yahoo! Finance|date=2 November 2020 |archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111145248/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-signs-deal-sony-music-170116348.html|url-status=live}}</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|access-date=11 January 2021|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111092629/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-group-inks-licensing-deal-with-tiktok/|url-status=live}}</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 |date=7 January 2021 |access-date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429070202/https://themusicnetwork.com/warner-music-tiktok-deal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Finance:Advertising revenue|advertising revenue]] of short video clips is lower than other social media: while users spend more time, American audience is monetized at a rate of $0.31 per hour, a third the rate of Facebook and a fifth the rate of Instagram, $67 per year while Instagram will make more than $200.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.economist.com/business/2023/03/21/how-tiktok-broke-social-media |title= How TikTok broke social media |date= 21 March 2023 |newspaper= [[Finance:The Economist|The Economist]] |access-date= 22 March 2023 |archive-date= 7 October 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231007083341/https://www.economist.com/business/2023/03/21/how-tiktok-broke-social-media |url-status= live }}</ref> In July 2023, Iranian Mehr News Agency reported "experts from Douyin" will meet Iranian business in Tehran to enable Iranian exports to China.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 July 2023 |title=TikTok to market Iranian products in China: TCCIM – Mehr News Agency |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/202696/TikTok-to-market-Iranian-products-in-China-TCCIM |website=Mehr News Agency |access-date=28 November 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708004046/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/202696/TikTok-to-market-Iranian-products-in-China-TCCIM |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, several high-level executives transferred from ByteDance to TikTok to focus on moneymaking operations. Some moved from Beijing to the US. According to sources for ''The'' ''Wall Street Journal'', the personnel move led to concerns from some TikTok employees and was reported to the office of US senator [[Biography:Ted Cruz|Ted Cruz]] for further investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Georgia |date=27 September 2023 |title=TikTok Employees Say Executive Moves to U.S. Show China Parent's Influence |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/tiktok-employees-say-executive-moves-to-u-s-show-china-parents-influence-ef5ff21f |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2023 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |quote=The TikTok employees say they are worried that the appointments show ByteDance plays a greater role in TikTok's operations than TikTok has disclosed publicly. |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929024142/https://www.wsj.com/tech/tiktok-employees-say-executive-moves-to-u-s-show-china-parents-influence-ef5ff21f |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=3 October 2023 |title=US senators examine TikTok hiring of ByteDance executives |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-senators-examine-tiktok-hiring-bytedance-executives-2023-10-03/ |access-date=3 October 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003202758/https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-senators-examine-tiktok-hiring-bytedance-executives-2023-10-03/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2023, TikTok invested $1.5 billion in GoTo's Indonesian e-commerce business, [[Company:Tokopedia|Tokopedia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Kate |date=11 December 2023 |title=TikTok to invest $1.5B in GoTo's Indonesia e-commerce business Tokopedia |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/11/tiktok-to-invest-1-5b-in-gotos-indonesia-e-commerce-business/ |access-date=11 December 2023 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211192758/https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/11/tiktok-to-invest-1-5b-in-gotos-indonesia-e-commerce-business/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2024, ''The Information'' reported that it is an open secret among investors that TikTok loses billions of dollars annually.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2024 |title=TikTok Ban Bill Spotlights Open Secret: App Loses Money |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/tiktok-ban-bill-spotlights-open-secret-app-loses-money |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=The Information |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320054217/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/tiktok-ban-bill-spotlights-open-secret-app-loses-money |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Competition with other platforms ===
Although the size of its user base falls short of that of Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, TikTok reached 1 billion active monthly users faster than any of them.<ref name=Forbes20230313>{{cite news|last1=Murray|first1=Conor|title=TikTok Clones: How Spotify, Instagram, Twitter And More Are Copying Features Like The 'For You' Page|date=13 March 2023|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/03/13/tiktok-clones-how-spotify-instagram-twitter-and-more-are-copying-features-like-the-for-you-page/|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713073517/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/03/13/tiktok-clones-how-spotify-instagram-twitter-and-more-are-copying-features-like-the-for-you-page/|url-status=live}}</ref> Competition from TikTok prompted Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, to spend $120 million as of 2022 to entice more content creators to its [[Software:Instagram#Reels|Reels]] service, although engagement level remained low.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sato|first=Mia|title=Instagram knows it has a Reels problem|date=12 September 2022|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/12/23349004/instagrams-reels-tiktok-internal-documents|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=9 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609190215/https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/12/23349004/instagrams-reels-tiktok-internal-documents|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Software:Snapchat|Snapchat]] had likewise paid out $250 million in 2021 to its creators.<ref>{{cite news|last=Silberling|first=Amanda|title=Snap paid $250 million to creators on its TikTok clone this year|date=14 December 2021|publisher=Tech Crunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/14/snap-paid-250-million-to-creators-on-its-tiktok-clone-this-year/|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713073518/https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/14/snap-paid-250-million-to-creators-on-its-tiktok-clone-this-year/|url-status=live}}</ref> Many platforms and services, including YouTube Shorts, began to imitate TikTok's format and recommendation page. Those changes caused a backlash from users of Instagram, Spotify, and Twitter.<ref name=Forbes20230313 />

In March 2022, ''The'' ''Washington Post'' reported that Facebook's owner [[Company:Meta Platforms|Meta Platforms]] paid Targeted Victory—a consulting firm backed by supporters of the US Republican Party—to coordinate lobbying and media campaigns against TikTok and portray it as "a danger to American children and society". Its efforts included asking local reporters to serve as "back channels" of anti-TikTok messages, writing opinion articles and letters to the editor, including one in the name of a concerned parent, amplifying stories about TikTok trends, such as "devious licks" and "Slap a Teacher", that actually originated on Facebook, and promoting Facebook's own corporate initiatives. Ties to Meta were not disclosed to the other parties involved. Targeted Victory said that it is "proud of the work". A Meta spokesperson said that all platforms, including TikTok, should face scrutiny.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Facebook paid GOP firm to malign TikTok |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/30/facebook-tiktok-targeted-victory/ |access-date=30 March 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=17 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917004305/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/30/facebook-tiktok-targeted-victory/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that Silicon Valley executives met with US lawmakers to build an "anti-China alliance" before TikTok CEO's congressional hearing in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wells |first=Georgia |date=17 March 2023 |title=Silicon Valley and Capitol Hill Build an Anti-China Alliance |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-and-capitol-hill-build-an-anti-china-alliance-e508c75e |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 July 2023 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621031841/https://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-and-capitol-hill-build-an-anti-china-alliance-e508c75e |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/tiktok-x-meta-ceos-congressional-hearing-child-sexual-exploitation-1234889011/|title=TikTok, X, and Meta CEOs to Face Congressional Hearing Over Child Sexual Exploitation|date=20 November 2023|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=21 November 2023|archive-date=21 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121033403/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/tiktok-x-meta-ceos-congressional-hearing-child-sexual-exploitation-1234889011/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== TikTok Notes ===
In April 2024, TikTok users started receiving notifications that their current and future picture posts would be shown on a new app called TikTok Notes. The app is not released yet; however, TikTok confirmed it is being worked on. TikTok Notes will be a direct competitor to [[Software:Instagram|Instagram]] for photo sharing. Jasmine Enberg, a principal social media analyst at eMarketer, observes that launching Notes as a separate app, instead of as a new feature in TikTok, may be done in response to regulatory and consumer scrutiny.<ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok's Instagram competitor likely to be named TikTok Notes |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |date=8 April 2024 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/08/tiktoks-instagram-competitor-likely-to-be-named-tiktok-notes/ |work=TechCrunch |access-date=13 April 2024 |archive-date=12 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412213434/https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/08/tiktoks-instagram-competitor-likely-to-be-named-tiktok-notes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok to take on Instagram with photo app |last=McMahon |first=Liv |date=9 April 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cge8j2dyg1qo |work=BBC News |access-date=13 April 2024 |archive-date=13 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413022442/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cge8j2dyg1qo |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 April 2024, Notes first released to users in Canada and Australia for limited testing.<ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok Notes is the new competitor to Instagram. What is the app and how does it work? |last=Taylor |first=Josh |date=18 April 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/apr/18/tiktok-notes-instagram-competitor-launch-canada-australia-what-is-it-explainer |work=The Guardian |access-date=23 April 2024 |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423015338/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/apr/18/tiktok-notes-instagram-competitor-launch-canada-australia-what-is-it-explainer |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 April 2025, it was announced that Notes would be shut down on 8 May.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2025-04-03 |title=TikTok is shutting down its Instagram-like Notes app |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/643063/tiktok-notes-shutting-down-instagram-rival |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> It went defunct on May 8, 2025.

== Features ==
The 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. 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 genres, 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|magazine=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>

The "For You" page on TikTok is a [[Infinite scrolling|endless feed]] of videos that are recommended to users based on their activity on the app. Content is curated by TikTok's [[Artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]] depending on the content a user liked, interacted with, or searched. This helps users find new content and creators reach new audiences, in contrast to other social networks that base recommendations on the interactions and relationships between users.<ref name="Cervi 198–204">{{Cite journal |last=Cervi |first=Laura |date=3 April 2021 |title=Tik Tok and generation Z |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19443927.2021.1915617 |journal=Theatre, Dance and Performance Training |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=198–204 |doi=10.1080/19443927.2021.1915617 |s2cid=236323384 |issn=1944-3927 |access-date=20 April 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405102238/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19443927.2021.1915617 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="CNNFung2024">{{cite news |last1=Fung |first1=Brian |date=12 March 2024 |title=TikTok creators fear a ban as the House prepares to vote on a bill that could block the app in America |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/12/tech/us-tiktok-ban-bill/index.html |work=CNN |language=en |quote=For You page makes it far easier for brands like August to reach new audiences compared to other apps, Okamoto said. Its recommendation algorithm is far better at expanding users' horizons and helping them to discover new creators |access-date=21 March 2024 |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314054648/https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/12/tech/us-tiktok-ban-bill/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

TikTok's algorithm, recognized by ''The New York Times'' in 2020 as one of the most advanced for shaping user experiences and social interactions,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ovide |first=Shira |date=3 June 2020 |title=TikTok (Yes, TikTok) Is the Future |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/technology/tiktok-is-the-future.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123054718/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/technology/tiktok-is-the-future.html |url-status=live }}</ref> stands out from traditional social media. While typical platforms focus on active user actions like likes, clicks, or follows, TikTok monitors a wider array of behaviors during video viewing. This comprehensive observation is then used to refine its algorithms, as noted by ''Wired'' in 2020.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Matsakis |first=Louise |title=How TikTok's 'For You' Algorithm Actually Works |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-finally-explains-for-you-algorithm-works/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=24 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924233134/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-finally-explains-for-you-algorithm-works/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Furthermore, ''The Wall Street Journal'' in 2021 highlighted its superiority over other social media platforms in understanding users' preferences and emotions. TikTok's algorithm leverages this insight to present similar content, creating an environment that users often find hard to disengage from.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Scalvini |first=Marco |date=April 2023 |title=Making Sense of Responsibility: A Semio-Ethic Perspective on TikTok's Algorithmic Pluralism |journal=Social Media + Society |language=en |volume=9 |issue=2 |article-number=20563051231180625 |doi=10.1177/20563051231180625 |issn=2056-3051|doi-access=free }}</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|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 from another video.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/lifestyle/30346044|title=Tik Tok lets you duet with yourself, a pal, or a celebrity|newspaper=Nationthailand|date=22 May 2018|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. The duet feature is also only able to be used if both parties adjust the privacy settings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weir|first=Melanie|title=How to duet on TikTok and record a video alongside someone else's|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-duet-on-tiktok|access-date=8 October 2021|website=Business Insider|language=en-US|archive-date=6 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806084126/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-duet-on-tiktok|url-status=live}}</ref>

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="TechCrunch-2019">{{cite web|url=https://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|date=29 January 2019 |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="TechCrunch-2019" />

Users may send their friends videos, [[Emoji|emoji]]s, and messages with direct messaging. TikTok has also included a feature to create a video based on the user's comments. [[Social:Influencer|Influencer]]s 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|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>

TikTok announced a "family safety mode" in February 2020 for parents to be able to control their children's presence on the app. There is a screen time management option, restricted mode, and the option to put a limit on direct messages.<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> The app expanded its parental controls feature called "Family Pairing" in September 2020 to provide parents and guardians with educational resources to understand what children on TikTok are exposed to. Content for the feature was created in partnership with online safety nonprofit, Internet Matters.<ref>{{cite web|title=TikTok adds educational resources for parents as part of its Family Pairing feature|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/01/tiktok-adds-educational-resources-for-parents-as-part-of-its-family-pairing-feature/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901121109/https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/01/tiktok-adds-educational-resources-for-parents-as-part-of-its-family-pairing-feature/|archive-date=1 September 2021|access-date=1 September 2021|website=TechCrunch|date=September 2021|language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2021, TikTok launched a test feature that allows users to directly tip certain creators. Accounts of users that are of age, have at least 100,000 followers and agree to the terms can activate a "Tip" button on their profile, which allows followers to tip any amount, starting from $1.<ref>{{cite web |last=Keck |first=Catie |title=TikTok is testing a new tipping feature for some creators |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/28/22751715/tiktok-new-tips-feature-creators |date=28 October 2021 |access-date=29 October 2021 |website=TheVerge |language=en-US |archive-date=13 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613235131/https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/28/22751715/tiktok-new-tips-feature-creators |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2021, TikTok started beta-testing Live Studio, a streaming software that would let users broadcast applications open on their computers, including games. The software also launched with support for mobile and PC streaming.<ref>{{cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |title=TikTok tests PC game streaming app that could let it take on Twitch |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/16/22839213/tiktok-live-studio-desktop-live-streaming-twitch |date=16 December 2021 |access-date=21 December 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603012213/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/16/22839213/tiktok-live-studio-desktop-live-streaming-twitch |url-status=live }}</ref> However, a few days later, users on Twitter discovered that the software uses code from the open-source [[Software:OBS Studio|OBS Studio]]. OBS made a statement saying that, under the [[GNU GPL]] version 2, TikTok has to make the code of Live Studio publicly available if it wants to use any code from OBS.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |title=TikTok's new Live Studio app allegedly violates OBS' licensing policy |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/20/22847213/tiktoks-live-studio-obs-open-source-policy |date=20 December 2021 |access-date=21 December 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217214058/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/20/22847213/tiktoks-live-studio-obs-open-source-policy |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2022, TikTok announced TikTok Pulse, an ad revenue-sharing program. It covers the "top 4% of all videos on TikTok" and is only available to creators with more than 100,000 followers. If an eligible creator's video reaches the top 4%, they will receive a 50% share of the revenue from ads displayed with the video.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kastrenakes |first1=Jacob |title=TikTok will start to share ad revenue with creators |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/4/23057016/tiktok-pulse-ad-revenue-share-creator-program |website=The Verge |date=4 May 2022 |access-date=5 May 2022 |archive-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610082240/https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/4/23057016/tiktok-pulse-ad-revenue-share-creator-program |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2023, TikTok launched a new streaming service called [[Software:TikTok Music|TikTok Music]], currently available only in Brazil and Indonesia.<ref name="Capital-2023">{{Cite web |title=TikTok a lancé un nouveau service payant pour concurrencer Spotify et Deezer |url=https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/tiktok-a-lance-un-nouveau-service-payant-pour-concurrencer-spotify-et-deezer-1474275 |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=Capital |date=13 July 2023 |archive-date=18 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718155942/https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/tiktok-a-lance-un-nouveau-service-payant-pour-concurrencer-spotify-et-deezer-1474275 |url-status=live}}</ref> This service allows users to listen to, download and share songs.<ref name="Capital-2023" /> It is reported that TikTok Music features songs from major record companies like Universal Music Group, Sony Music and Warner Music Group.<ref name="Capital-2023" /> On 19 July 2023, TikTok Music was expanded for select users in Australia, Mexico and Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=19 July 2023 |title=TikTok Music beta expands to more countries |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/19/23800014/tiktok-music-beta-australia-mexico-singapore-streaming-service |access-date=19 July 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719101017/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/19/23800014/tiktok-music-beta-australia-mexico-singapore-streaming-service |url-status=live }}</ref>

After a dispute with TikTok regarding payouts for artists and regulation of AI-generated music content on the platform, Universal Music Group decided not to renew its licensing agreement with TikTok, causing its catalogue of 3 million recordings to become unavailable for usage after 31 January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=1 February 2024 |title=TikTok loses Taylor Swift, Drake, and other major Universal Music artists |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/1/24057839/umg-pulls-tiktok-music-ai-contract-dispute |access-date=1 February 2024 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201140143/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/1/24057839/umg-pulls-tiktok-music-ai-contract-dispute |url-status=live}}</ref> This marked the company's first instance of withdrawing its music from a major platform, in contrast to Warner Music, which had recently renewed its own licensing deal with TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universal Music warns it will pull songs from TikTok |url=https://techxplore.com/news/2024-01-universal-music-songs-tiktok.html |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=techxplore.com |language=en |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131134120/https://techxplore.com/news/2024-01-universal-music-songs-tiktok.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2024, Universal Music Publishing Group removed its catalogue of 4 million compositions from TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tiktok-has-already-started-removing-universals-music-publishing-catalog-from-its-platform |title=TikTok has ALREADY started removing Universal's music publishing catalog from its platform |date=27 February 2024 |access-date=16 April 2024 |archive-date=4 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304170147/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tiktok-has-already-started-removing-universals-music-publishing-catalog-from-its-platform/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2024, Taylor Swift's music returned to the platform.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Robinson |first1=Kristin |last2=Leight |first2=Elias |date=11 April 2024 |title=Taylor Swift Is Back on TikTok. Can Other Artists Do the Same? |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-back-tiktok-artists-do-same-contracts/ |url-access=limited |access-date=11 April 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411203638/https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-back-tiktok-artists-do-same-contracts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2025, TikTok launched digital gift cards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirkland |first=Colin |title=TikTok Shop Launches Digital Gift Cards During Holiday Season |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411558/tiktok-shop-launches-digital-gift-cards-during-hol.html |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=www.mediapost.com |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2026, TikTok launched Local Feed, a feature intended to help users connect with their community and discover local events and updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TikTok Launches Local Feed in the US {{!}} Social Media Today |url=https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-launches-local-feed-in-the-us/811990/ |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=www.socialmediatoday.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Content ==
=== Viral trends ===
The app has spawned numerous [[Viral phenomenon|viral trends]], 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|date=26 March 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maheshwari |first=Sapna |date=24 June 2023 |title=TikTok Is Our DJ Now. It's Playing a Lot of Meghan Trainor. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/24/business/meghan-trainor-made-you-look-tiktok.html |access-date=14 July 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714034521/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/24/business/meghan-trainor-made-you-look-tiktok.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Many stars got their start on Musical.ly, which merged with TikTok on 2 August 2018. These include Loren Gray, Baby Ariel, Zach King, Lisa and Lena, Jacob Sartorius, and many others. Loren Gray remained the most-followed individual on TikTok until Charli D'Amelio surpassed her on 25 March 2020. Gray's was the first TikTok account to reach 40&nbsp;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&nbsp;million followers. Charli D'Amelio remained the most-followed individual on the platform until she was surpassed by Khaby Lame on 23 June 2022. Other creators rose to fame after the platform merged with musical.ly on 2 August 2018.<ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=People}}</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 US ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite AV media|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|type=News|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKqFafZgCk|publisher=The New York Times|via=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110153141/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptKqFafZgCk|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}}</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>

TikTok has allowed many music artists 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 2016 song "HandClap" on the platform.<ref>{{cite news|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|date=10 May 2019}}</ref> "Any Song" by R&B and rap artist Zico became number one on the Korean music charts due to the popularity of the #anysongchallenge, where users dance to the choreography of the song.<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|date=23 January 2020 }}</ref> The platform has also launched many songs that failed to garner initial commercial success into [[Engineering:Sleeper hit|sleeper hit]]s, particularly since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCathie |first=William |date=23 April 2020 |title=Say So, TikTok, and the 'Viral Sleeper Hit' |url=https://www.cherwell.org/2020/04/23/say-so-tiktok-and-the-viral-sleeper-hit/ |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=Cherwell |language=en-GB |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217214058/https://www.cherwell.org/2020/04/23/say-so-tiktok-and-the-viral-sleeper-hit/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wass |first=Mike |date=14 July 2022 |title=Viral Revivals: From Kate Bush to Tom Odell, Inside the Business of Oldies as New Hit Songs |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kate-bush-tom-odell-catalog-songs-tiktok-business-1235317069/ |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718004950/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kate-bush-tom-odell-catalog-songs-tiktok-business-1235317069/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, it has received criticism for not paying royalties to artists whose music is used on the platform.<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}}</ref>

Classic stars are able to connect with younger audiences born decades after a musician's first debut and across traditional genres. In 2020, Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" was used in a skating video and a recreation by Mick Fleetwood. The song re-entered ''Billboard'' Hot 100 after 43 years and topped Apple Music. In 2022, Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" went viral among fans of ''Stranger Things'', topping the UK singles chart 37 years after its original release. In 2023 Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam" entered the Radio 1 playlist after being shared by Gen Z, even though many youth radio stations had refused to play it. Other older artists with strong engagement on TikTok include [[Biography:Elton John|Elton John]] and Rod Stewart.<ref>{{cite web|last=Khomami|first=Nadia|title='TikTok is age-agnostic': how Kylie and Fleetwood Mac found new young fans|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jun/28/tiktok-is-age-agnostic-how-kylie-and-fleetwood-mac-found-new-young-fans|website=The Guardian|date=28 June 2023|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=1 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801125507/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jun/28/tiktok-is-age-agnostic-how-kylie-and-fleetwood-mac-found-new-young-fans|url-status=live}}</ref> In Japan, artists from the 1970s to 1990s, such as Kohmi Hirose, Yōko Oginome, Akina Nakamori, Seiko Matsuda, Momoe Yamaguchi and Saki Kubota, have become popular on TikTok during the Showa (and early Heisei) retro boom.<ref>[https://fujinkoron.jp/articles/-/7588?display=full 「め組のひと」「ダンシングヒーロー」TikTokを中心に、若い世代に支持される昭和歌謡の懐かしソング]. Fujin Kōron. 5 February 2023.</ref><ref>[https://newsroom.tiktok.com/ja-jp/tiktok-2022-first-half-trends 「TikTok2022上半期トレンド」大賞は「ロマンスの神様」に決定！チャレンジ部門賞は「#PAKU」、ミュージック部門賞は「W/X/Y」、エフェクト部門賞は「ハートアイズ」に！] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208085029/https://newsroom.tiktok.com/ja-jp/tiktok-2022-first-half-trends |date=8 December 2024 }}. TikTok.</ref><ref>[https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/spv/2412/17/news142.html 今も歌われる"昭和"のカラオケ曲ランキング、JOYSOUNDが発表　1位はアニメ主題歌　ネット発リバイバルヒット曲も存在感]. ITmedia. 17 December 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.kkbox.com/jp/ja/column/showbiz-0-1705-1.html 【2024年】TikTokでZ世代にバズった昭和平成の名曲42選]. [[Software:KKBox|KKBOX]]. 2 February 2024.</ref>

In June 2020, TikTok users and K-pop fans "claimed to have registered potentially hundreds of thousands of tickets" for Donald Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma through communication on TikTok,<ref>{{cite news|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|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 news|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|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. Later, in October 2020, an organization called ''TikTok for Biden'' was created to support then-presidential candidate Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morin |first=Rebecca |title=Young and progressive voters aren't just 'settling for Biden' anymore; they're going all in |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/26/election-2020-young-voters-use-instagram-tiktok-settle-biden/3680105001/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407004428/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/26/election-2020-young-voters-use-instagram-tiktok-settle-biden/3680105001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After the election, the organization was renamed to ''Gen-Z for Change''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Ian |title=Inside the Progressive Movement's TikTok Army |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/03/27/progressive-gen-z-for-change-tik-tok-00020624 |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=Politico |date=27 March 2022 |language=en |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804105318/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/03/27/progressive-gen-z-for-change-tik-tok-00020624 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Latu |first=Dan |date=10 November 2021 |title=They started making TikToks for Joe Biden. Now Gen Z For Change wants to wield real political clout |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gen-z-for-change/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804105310/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gen-z-for-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 10 August 2020, Emily Jacobssen wrote and sang "Ode to Remy", a song praising the protagonist from Pixar's 2007 computer-animated 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''. Since Mertzlufft's video, many new elements including costume design, additional songs, and a [[Biology: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=30 November 2020|website=Playbill|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101205801/https://www.playbill.com/article/presenting-the-official-fake-ratatouille-playbill|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 January 2021, a full one-hour virtual presentation of ''Ratatouille the Musical'' premiered on TodayTix. It starred Titus Burgess as Remy, Wayne Brady as Django, Adam Lambert as Emile, Kevin Chamberlin as Gusteau, Andrew Barth Feldman as Linguini, Ashley Park as Colette, Priscilla Lopez as Mabel, Mary Testa as Skinner, and André De Shields as Ego.

A viral TikTok trend known as "devious licks" involves students vandalizing or stealing school property and posting videos of the action on the platform. The trend has led to increasing school vandalism and subsequent measures taken by some schools to prevent damage. Some students have been arrested for participating in the trend.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pelletiere |first1=Nicole |title=15-year-old student's arrest linked to banned TikTok challenge after police locate video of crime |url=https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/florida-teen-arrested-tiktok-school-devious-licks |publisher=Fox News |access-date=18 September 2021 |date=17 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917172400/https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/florida-teen-arrested-tiktok-school-devious-licks |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title="Devious Licks" TikTok challenge leaving bathrooms plundered in many schools across the nation |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/devious-licks-tiktok-challenge-bathrooms-vandalism/ |website=minnesota.cbslocal.com |date=17 September 2021 |access-date=18 September 2021 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918031357/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/devious-licks-tiktok-challenge-bathrooms-vandalism/ |url-status=live }}</ref> TikTok has taken measures to remove and prevent access to content displaying the trend.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/human-interest/what-to-know-about-devious-lick-tiktok-challenge/|title=What to Know About the 'Devious Lick' TikTok Challenge — and Why Schools are Warning Parents|work=People|last=Goldstein|first=Joelle|date=16 September 2021|access-date=17 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917082248/https://people.com/human-interest/what-to-know-about-devious-lick-tiktok-challenge/|url-status=live}}</ref> Another TikTok trend known as the Kia Challenge involves users stealing certain models of [[Company:Kia|Kia]] and [[Company:Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]] cars manufactured without immobilizers, which was a standard feature at the time, between 2010 and 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Day |first1=Andrea |last2=DiLella |first2=Chris |title=TikTok challenge spurs rise in thefts of Kia, Hyundai cars |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/08/tiktok-challenge-spurs-rise-in-thefts-of-kia-hyundai-cars.html |publisher=CNBC |access-date=17 July 2023 |language=en |date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716212359/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/08/tiktok-challenge-spurs-rise-in-thefts-of-kia-hyundai-cars.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As of February 2023, it had resulted in at least 14 crashes and eight deaths according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hyundai and Kia Launch Service Campaign to Prevent Theft of Millions of Vehicles Targeted by Social Media Challenge {{!}} NHTSA |url=https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/hyundai-kia-campaign-prevent-vehicle-theft |website=www.nhtsa.gov |access-date=17 July 2023 |language=en |date=14 February 2023 |archive-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717173814/https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/hyundai-kia-campaign-prevent-vehicle-theft |url-status=live }}</ref> In May, Kia and Hyundai settled a $200-million class-action lawsuit by agreeing to provide software updates to affected vehicles and over 26,000 steering wheel locks.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hawkins |first1=Andrew J. |title=Hyundai and Kia agree to $200 million settlement over TikTok car theft challenge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/18/23729229/hyundai-kia-settlement-car-theft-challenge-tiktok |website=The Verge |date=18 May 2023 |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=15 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715215744/https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/18/23729229/hyundai-kia-settlement-car-theft-challenge-tiktok |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, a trend emerged where streamers acted as if they were video-game characters following prompts from their viewers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chong|first=Linda|date=12 August 2023|title=They act like video game characters on TikTok. It nets $200 an hour.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/08/12/tiktok-npc-trend-streaming/|access-date=14 August 2023|archive-date=13 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813002815/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/08/12/tiktok-npc-trend-streaming/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, some celebrities who had garnered large followings as of August 2019 include Dilraba Dilmurat, Angelababy, Luo Zhixiang, Ouyang Nana, and Pan Changjiang.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melody Tsui |date=6 August 2019 |title=What is Douyin, aka TikTok, and why are stars like Angelababy and Ouyang Nana on it? |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3021658/what-douyin-aka-tiktok-and-why-are-stars-angelababy-and |access-date=23 March 2023 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810074328/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3021658/what-douyin-aka-tiktok-and-why-are-stars-angelababy-and |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a Qatari teenage royal became an Internet celebrity after his angry expressions were recorded in Qatar's opening match loss to Ecuador;<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 November 2022 |title=A young Qatari man leads the trend in China and becomes the most famous in it.. What is the story? |script-title=ar:شاب قطري يتصدر الترند في الصين ويصبح الأكثر شهرة فيها.. ما القصة؟ |language=Arabic |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2WNfYMtnY |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406154549/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2WNfYMtnY |url-status=live }}</ref> he amassed more than 15 million followers in less than a week after creating a Douyin account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dorothy Kam |date=3 December 2022 |title=Royal teen at World Cup goes viral in China as 'dumpling wrapper prince' |url=https://news.yahoo.com/teenage-world-cup-fan-qatari-150021161.html |access-date=23 March 2023 |publisher=[[Software:Yahoo! News|Yahoo! News]] |language=en-US |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030841/https://news.yahoo.com/teenage-world-cup-fan-qatari-150021161.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
On Douyin, viral memes and parodies of North Korea’s tightly choreographed state propaganda such as “general’s dance” or “You came from Dandong” amassed millions of views in 2024. The memes have also spilled offline. In Dandong, visitors have filmed themselves reenacting exaggerated greeting gestures toward the Yalu River, set to the same soundtracks popularized on Douyin.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jifan Li |date=11 February 2026 |title=How Chinese TikTok turns North Korean propaganda into memes |url=https://www.nknews.org/2026/02/how-chinese-tiktok-turns-north-korean-propaganda-into-memes/ |language=en-US |publisher=NK News }}</ref>

==== Food and recipes ====
{{Excerpt|TikTok food trends}}

==== Fashion and body size ====

"Midsize" fashion gained greater exposure on TikTok after many creators opened up about not able to find clothing sizes that fit them well. Women's apparel can roughly be divided into petite, straight, and plus sizes, leaving gaps in between. Realistic videos about how differently pieces of garment fit on a model compared to how they fit on a typical consumer resonated with many who had believed that they were alone in their struggle.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paton|first=Elizabeth|title=The Mean Life of a 'Midsize' Model|date=4 February 2023|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/fashion/plus-size-models-weight.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=2 July 2023|archive-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512063904/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/fashion/plus-size-models-weight.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Allaire|first=Christian|title=This Curve Model Does Realistic Clothing Hauls on TikTok|date=21 February 2021|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/remi-bader-curve-model-tiktok-star|website=Vogue|access-date=2 July 2023|archive-date=2 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702064335/https://www.vogue.com/article/remi-bader-curve-model-tiktok-star|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Dube|first=Rachel|title=What is mid-size fashion? Experts explain the TikTok trend|date=11 October 2021|url=https://www.today.com/shop/mid-size-fashion-t233854|website=TODAY.com|access-date=2 July 2023|archive-date=2 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702064335/https://www.today.com/shop/mid-size-fashion-t233854|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Cosmetic surgery ====
Content promoting cosmetic surgery is popular on TikTok and has spawned several viral trends on the platform. In December 2021, ''Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery'', the journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, published an article about the popularity of some plastic surgeons on TikTok. In the article, it was noted that plastic surgeons were some of the earliest adopters of social media in the medical field and many had been recognized as influencers on the platform. The article published stats about the most popular plastic surgeons on TikTok up to February 2021 and at the time, five different plastic surgeons had surpassed 1 million followers on the platform.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Das |first1=Rishub K. |last2=Drolet |first2=Brian C. |title=Plastic Surgeons in TikTok: Top Influencers, Most Recent Posts, and User Engagement |journal=Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |date=December 2021 |volume=148 |issue=6 |pages=1094e–1097e |doi=10.1097/PRS.0000000000008566 |pmid=34705755 |s2cid=240074110 |issn=0032-1052 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bushak |first1=Lecia |title=TikTok's most popular plastic surgeon influencers |url=https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/tiktoks-most-popular-plastic-surgeon-influencers/ |website=MM+M |publisher=Medical Marketing and Media |access-date=27 February 2023 |date=11 November 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030917/https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/tiktoks-most-popular-plastic-surgeon-influencers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, it was reported that a trend known as the #NoseJobCheck trend was going viral on TikTok. TikTok content creators used a specific audio on their videos while showing how their noses looked before and after having their rhinoplasty surgeries. By January 2021, the hashtag #nosejob had accumulated 1.6 billion views, #nosejobcheck had accumulated 1 billion views, and the audio used in the #NoseJobCheck trend had been used in 120,000 videos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zitser |first=Joshua |date=10 January 2021 |title=Insider created a TikTok account and set the age at 14 to test how long before a plastic surgeon's promotional video appeared. It only took 8 minutes. |url=https://www.insider.com/rhinoplasty-is-being-promoted-to-teenagers-nose-job-tiktok-2020-12 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Insider |quote=The hashtag #nosejobcheck, which mainly consists of videos showcasing before-and-after clips of nasal surgery, has accumulated over one billion views on the platform. The hashtag #nosejob, which hosts similar videos, has over 1.6 billion views. There's even a unique 'nose job check' sound. Over 120,000 videos using this sound have been published on TikTok since last October. |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215065205/https://www.insider.com/rhinoplasty-is-being-promoted-to-teenagers-nose-job-tiktok-2020-12 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, Charli D'Amelio, the most-followed person on TikTok at the time, also made a #NoseJobCheck video to show the results of her surgery to repair a broken nose.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aviles |first1=Gwen |last2=Gopal |first2=Trisha |last3=Naftulin |first3=Julia |title=Bella Hadid said she wished she still had 'the nose of her ancestors.' 'Ethnic nose jobs' are on the rise. |url=https://www.insider.com/bella-hadid-ethnic-nose-jobs-2022-3 |website=Insider |access-date=26 February 2023 |date=23 March 2022 |quote=In 2020, one of TikTok's biggest stars Charli D'Amelio shared her own nose job journey after receiving reconstructive surgery for what she deemed as "breathing problems" stemming from a broken nose. |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215065205/https://www.insider.com/bella-hadid-ethnic-nose-jobs-2022-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2022, NBC News reported that surgeons were giving influencers on the platform discounted or free cosmetic surgeries in order to advertise the procedures to their audiences. They also reported that facilities that offered these surgeries were also posting about them on TikTok. TikTok has banned the advertising of cosmetic surgeries on the platform but cosmetic surgeons are still able to reach large audiences using unpaid photo and video posts. NBC reported that videos using the hashtags '#plasticsurgery' and '#lipfiller' had amassed a combined 26 billion views on the platform.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tenbarge |first1=Kat |date=27 April 2022 |title=Young influencers are being offered cheap procedures in return for promotion. They say it's coming at a cost. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/followers-cheaper-lips-young-influencers-detail-allure-cosmetic-proced-rcna14463 |access-date=1 January 2023 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912071816/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/followers-cheaper-lips-young-influencers-detail-allure-cosmetic-proced-rcna14463 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2022, it was reported that a [[Engineering:Plastic surgery|cosmetic surgery]] procedure known as buccal fat removal was going viral on the platform. The procedure involves surgically removing fat from the cheeks in order to give the face a slimmer and more chiseled appearance. Videos using hashtags related to buccal fat removal had collectively amassed over 180 million views. Some TikTok users criticized the trend for promoting an unobtainable beauty standard.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rosenblatt |first1=Kalhan |date=20 December 2022 |title=Buccal fat removal videos have gone viral on TikTok. But some users prefer to embrace their natural, rounder faces. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/buccal-fat-removal-surgery-videos-tiktok-rcna62317 |access-date=31 December 2022 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030949/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/buccal-fat-removal-surgery-videos-tiktok-rcna62317 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryu |first1=Jenna |date=29 December 2022 |title='Buccal fat removal': Who decided round cheeks were something to be insecure about? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/12/29/buccal-fat-removal-latest-controversial-plastic-surgery-trend/10950814002/ |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=USA Today |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609173351/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/12/29/buccal-fat-removal-latest-controversial-plastic-surgery-trend/10950814002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Javaid |first1=Maham |date=29 December 2022 |title=Where has all the buccal fat gone? |language=en |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/12/29/buccal-fat-removal-sculpted-cheeks/ |access-date=31 December 2022 |archive-date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612042601/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/12/29/buccal-fat-removal-sculpted-cheeks/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Film criticism====
A significant number of users on TikTok, such as Juju Green, create content surrounding film criticism and [[Easter egg (media)|easter eggs]]. However, as reported by ''The New York Times'', these people often do not see themselves necessarily as film critics.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ugwu |first1=Reggie |title=They Review Movies on TikTok, but Don't Call Them Critics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/movies/tiktok-movie-reviews-critics.html |work=The New York Times |date=15 August 2023 |access-date=13 January 2025}}</ref> These creators would often attend red carpet premieres of movies and interview the celebrities in attendance, which was the subject of significant debate as some considered the questions the creators asked to be disrespectful.<ref name="NBC">{{cite web |last1=Tolentino |first1=Daysia |title=Should creators be interviewing celebrities at red carpet events? Depends on who you ask. |date=3 March 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/creators-red-carpet-interviews-backlash-rcna141182 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=13 January 2025}}</ref> By 2022, TikTok released a Showbiz List, highlighting individuals who were having a larger impact on the film industry.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shafer |first1=Ellise |title=TikTok Unveils Inaugural Showbiz List, Highlighting Creators Making Waves in the Entertainment Industry |date=17 May 2022 |url=https://variety.com/lists/tiktok-showbiz-list-2022/becca-bastos-actressbec1-4/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref>

During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, such influencers were told that they would be denied future entry into the union if they partnered with struck studios. This led many creators to stop creating new content which they were not already contractually obligated to create.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roeloffs |first1=Mary Whitfill |title=Actors' Strike Hits Influencers: Social Media Stars Cancel Promo Deals After SAG-AFTRA Bars Them From Working With Studios |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/07/24/influencers-cut-content-in-support-of-actors-strike-how-sag-aftra-is-limiting-creators/ |work=Forbes |access-date=13 January 2025}}</ref> Creators who posted saying that they would not be changing their content, such as Green, were met with significant criticism.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mendez |first1=Moses |title=Influencers Are Struggling to Find Their Role in the SAG-AFTRA Strike—And Beyond |date=4 August 2023 |url=https://time.com/6301824/influencers-sag-strike/ |publisher=Time |access-date=24 January 2025 |archive-date=18 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318213017/https://time.com/6301824/influencers-sag-strike/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== STEM feed ===
In March 2023, TikTok introduced a dedicated feed for [[Engineering:Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics|science, technology, engineering, and mathematics]] (STEM) content. It works with Common Sense Networks to check for safety and age appropriateness and with the Poynter Institute for reliability of information.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sato|first=Mia|title=TikTok is adding a third feed just for science and math videos|date=14 March 2023|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/14/23638892/tiktok-stem-feed-fyp-science-technology-content-moderation|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717084617/https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/14/23638892/tiktok-stem-feed-fyp-science-technology-content-moderation|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Malik|first=Aisha|title=TikTok is adding a dedicated feed for STEM content|date=14 March 2023|publisher=Tech Crunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/14/tiktok-is-adding-a-dedicated-feed-for-stem-content/|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717084618/https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/14/tiktok-is-adding-a-dedicated-feed-for-stem-content/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Heating ===
In January 2023, ''Forbes'' reported that a "heating" tool allows TikTok to manually promote certain videos, comprising 1–2% of daily views. The practice began as a way to grow and diversify content and influencers that were not automatically picked up by the recommendation algorithm. It was also used to promote brands, artists, and NGOs, such as the FIFA World Cup and Taylor Swift.<ref>{{cite news|last=Main|first=Nikki|title=TikTok Overrode Its Algorithm to Boost the World Cup and Taylor Swift|date=13 March 2023|publisher=Gizmodo|url=https://gizmodo.com/tiktok-world-cup-taylor-swift-sxsw-bytedance-1850221178|access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713073517/https://gizmodo.com/tiktok-world-cup-taylor-swift-sxsw-bytedance-1850221178|url-status=live}}</ref> However, some employees have abused it to promote their own accounts or those of their spouses, while others have felt that their guidelines leave too much room for discretion. TikTok said only a few individuals can approve heating in the US and the promoted videos take up less than 0.002% of user feeds. To address concerns of Chinese influence, the company is negotiating with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) such that future heating could only be performed by vetted security personnel in the US and the process would be audited by third-parties such as Oracle.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2023/01/20/tiktoks-secret-heating-button-can-make-anyone-go-viral/?sh=ef10e3d6bfd4 |magazine=Forbes |first=Emily |last=Baker-White |date=20 January 2023 |title=TikTok's Secret 'Heating' Button Can Make Anyone Go Viral |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421004436/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2023/01/20/tiktoks-secret-heating-button-can-make-anyone-go-viral/?sh=ef10e3d6bfd4 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Censorship and moderation ===

TikTok's and Douyin's censorship policies have been criticized as non-transparent. Internal guidelines against the promotion of violence, separatism, and "demonization of countries" could be used to prohibit content related to the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, [[Unsolved:Falun Gong|Falun Gong]], [[Social:Human rights in Tibet|human rights in Tibet]], Taiwan, Chechnya, Northern Ireland, the Cambodian genocide, the 1998 Indonesian riots, Kurdish nationalism, ethnic conflicts between blacks and whites, or between different Islamic sects. A more specific list banned criticisms against world leaders, including past and present ones from Russia, the United States, Japan, North and South Korea, India, Indonesia, and Turkey.<ref name="Hern-2019b">{{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 |quote=Notably absent from the list is Xi Jinping |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><ref name="TelegraphDouyin">{{Cite news |last=Dodds |first=Laurence |date=12 July 2020 |title=Inside TikTok's dystopian Chinese censorship machine |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/07/12/inside-tiktoks-dystopian-chinese-censorship-machine/ |url-status=live |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 |access-date=12 July 2020 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In 2019, ''The Guardian'' reported that TikTok had censored videos of topics not favored by the Chinese government.<ref name="Hern-2019b" /> That year, TikTok took down a video about [[Social:Persecution of Uyghurs in China|human rights abuses]] in the [[Religion:Xinjiang internment camps|Xinjiang internment camps]] against Uyghurs but restored it after 50 minutes as well as the creator's account, saying that the action was a mistake and triggered by a brief "satirical" image of [[Biography:Osama bin Laden|Osama bin Laden]] in another post.<ref name="ABC AU Xinjiang">{{Cite news|last=Handley|first=Erin|date=28 November 2019|title=TikTok parent company complicit in censorship and Xinjiang police propaganda: report|publisher=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>{{Cite news|date=29 November 2019|title=TikTok apologises for deleting Feroza Aziz's video on plight of Muslim Uyghurs in China|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/tiktok-apologises-teen-aziz-feroza-muslim-uyghurs-video/11750934|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=30 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130123007/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/tiktok-apologises-teen-aziz-feroza-muslim-uyghurs-video/11750934|url-status=live}}</ref> Other human rights activists have also said that their TikTok videos discussing human rights violations of the Uyghurs have been taken down.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tash |first=Arslan |date=November 5, 2024 |title=TikTok deletes videos related to Uyghur human rights violations |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/uyghur/2024/11/05/uyghur-tiktok-censors-abroad/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |work=Radio Free Asia |archive-date=8 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108220405/https://www.rfa.org/english/uyghur/2024/11/05/uyghur-tiktok-censors-abroad/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

TikTok moderators were instructed to suppress posts from "For You" recommendations if the users shown were deemed "too ugly, poor, or disabled".<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><ref>{{cite news|last=Hern|first=Alex|date=17 March 2020|title=TikTok 'tried to filter out videos from ugly, poor or disabled users'|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/17/tiktok-tried-to-filter-out-videos-from-ugly-poor-or-disabled-users|url-status=live|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}}</ref> The consumption of alcohol, full or partial nudity, [[Social:LGBT community|LGBT]], and [[Biology:Intersex|intersex]] contents were restricted even in places where they are legal.<ref name="Hern-2019a">{{cite news|last=Hern|first=Alex|date=26 September 2019|title=TikTok's local moderation guidelines ban pro-LGBT content|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/26/tiktoks-local-moderation-guidelines-ban-pro-lgbt-content|url-status=live|access-date=26 September 2019|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|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> TikTok has since apologized and instituted a ban against anti-LGBTQ ideology, but censorship continues on Douyin due to regulations in China.<ref name="Hung" /><ref name="Sanchez-2021">{{cite web|last=Sanchez|first=Kait|date=4 June 2021|title=TikTok says the repeat removal of the intersex hashtag was a mistake|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/4/22519433/tiktok-intersex-ban-mistake-moderation-transparency|access-date=6 June 2021|website=The Verge|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606004936/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/4/22519433/tiktok-intersex-ban-mistake-moderation-transparency|url-status=live}}</ref> Douyin guidelines also forbid live broadcasting by unregistered foreigners, "feudal superstition", "money worship", smoking and drinking, competitive eating by the "already obese", "toxic" [[Physics:Slime (toy)#Toxicity scare|slime]], "pornographic" [[Philosophy:ASMR|ASMR]] such as ear-licking, and female anchors wearing revealing clothes.<ref name="TelegraphDouyin" />

ByteDance said its early guidelines were global and aimed at reducing online harassment and divisiveness when its platforms were still growing. They have been replaced by versions customized by local teams for users in different regions.<ref>{{cite news|last=Criddle|first=Cristina|date=12 February 2020|title=Transgender users accuse TikTok of censorship|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51474114|url-status=live|access-date=12 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213170813/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51474114|archive-date=13 February 2020}}</ref> A March 2021 study by the Citizen Lab found that TikTok did not censor searches politically but was inconclusive about whether posts are.<ref name="citizenlab/tiktok-douyin" /><ref name="citizenlabexplained">{{Cite journal |title=TikTok and Douyin Explained |date=22 March 2021 |website=The Citizen Lab |url=https://citizenlab.ca/2021/03/tiktok-and-douyin-explained/ |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622092644/https://citizenlab.ca/2021/03/tiktok-and-douyin-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2023 paper by the Internet Governance Project at Georgia Institute of Technology concluded that TikTok is "not exporting censorship, either directly by blocking material, or indirectly via its recommendation algorithm."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mueller |first1=Miller |last2=Farhat |first2=Karim |title=TikTok and US national security |url=https://www.internetgovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/TikTok-and-US-national-security-3.pdf |publisher=Internet Governance Project |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329203921/https://www.internetgovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/TikTok-and-US-national-security-3.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

After increased scrutiny, TikTok said it is granting some outside experts access to the platform's anonymized data sets and protocols, including filters, keywords, criteria for heating, and source code.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=27 July 2022 |title=TikTok to provide researchers with more transparency as damaging reports mount |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/27/23280406/tiktok-researchers-api-transparency-damaging-reports-china |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316194850/https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/27/23280406/tiktok-researchers-api-transparency-damaging-reports-china |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghaffary |first=Shirin |date=3 February 2023 |title=Behind the scenes at TikTok as it campaigns to change Americans' hearts and minds |url=https://www.vox.com/recode/2023/2/2/23582202/tiktok-headquarters-press-accountability-ban-trump |website=The Verge |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622092644/https://www.vox.com/recode/2023/2/2/23582202/tiktok-headquarters-press-accountability-ban-trump |url-status=live}}</ref> A December 2023 study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) found a "strong possibility that content on TikTok is either amplified or suppressed based on its alignment with the interests of the Chinese government."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maheshwari |first=Sapna |date=21 December 2023 |title=Topics Suppressed in China Are Underrepresented on TikTok, Study Says |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/business/tiktok-china.html |access-date=22 December 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222180837/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/business/tiktok-china.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to its director, the NCRI is an independent non-profit research organization funded by [[Organization:Rutgers University|Rutgers University]], the British government, and private donors.<ref name="Clanton-2024" /> ''The New York Times'' commented that "[a]lready, there is evidence that China uses TikTok as a propaganda tool. Posts related to subjects that the Chinese government wants to suppress — like Hong Kong protests and Tibet — are strangely missing from the platform."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leonhardt |first=David |date=24 April 2024 |title=TikTok's Pro-China Tilt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/24/briefing/tiktok-ban-bill-congress.html |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503070531/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/24/briefing/tiktok-ban-bill-congress.html |url-status=live }}</ref> TikTok subsequently restricted the number of hashtags that can be searched under its Creative Center, saying it was "misused to draw inaccurate conclusions".<ref name="HaderoAP">{{Cite web |last=Hadero |first=Haleluya |date=9 January 2024 |title=TikTok restricts tool used by researchers – and its critics – to assess content on its platform |url=https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-israel-hamas-war-research-7e94266c51b21f48e21b648463e65b0c |access-date=9 January 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205120/https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-israel-hamas-war-research-7e94266c51b21f48e21b648463e65b0c |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Maheshwari |first=Sapna |date=8 January 2024 |title=TikTok Quietly Curtails Data Tool Used by Critics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/08/business/media/tiktok-data-tool-israel-hamas-war.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205120/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/08/business/media/tiktok-data-tool-israel-hamas-war.html |archive-date=9 January 2024 |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

A historian from the [[Organization:Cato Institute|Cato Institute]] said that there were "basic errors" in the Rutgers University study and criticized the uncritical news coverage that followed. The study compares data from before TikTok even existed to show the app has fewer hashtags about historically sensitive topics, distorting the findings.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Matzko |first1=Paul |title=Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics: A Misleading Study Compares TikTok and Instagram |url=https://www.cato.org/blog/lies-damned-lies-statistics-misleading-study-compares-tiktok-instagram |website=Cato Institute |access-date=14 March 2024 |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314102434/https://www.cato.org/blog/lies-damned-lies-statistics-misleading-study-compares-tiktok-instagram |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HaderoAP" />

In August 2024, the NCRI released a subsequent report based on user journey data from 24 accounts that they created across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.<ref name="Clanton-2024">{{cite news |last1=Clanton |first1=Alicia |last2=Counts |first2=Aisha |title=TikTok Shows Less 'Anti-China' Content Than Rivals, Study Finds |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-09/tiktok-shows-less-anti-china-content-than-rivals-study-finds |publisher=Bloomberg |date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=27 August 2024 |access-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827082945/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-09/tiktok-shows-less-anti-china-content-than-rivals-study-finds |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 16, 2024 |title=TikTok promotes pro-China bias on Tibet, Taiwan, Uyghurs: study |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/tiktok-promotes-pro-china-bias-on-tibet-taiwan-uyghurs-study-08162024102338.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821133938/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/tiktok-promotes-pro-china-bias-on-tibet-taiwan-uyghurs-study-08162024102338.html |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |work=Radio Free Asia}}</ref> By searching for four keywords—Uyghur, Xinjiang, Tibet, and Tiananmen, the researchers found that TikTok returned a higher percentage of positive, neutral, or irrelevant content related to human rights in China. For example, more than 25% of results for "Tiananmen" on TikTok were considered pro-China by the researchers, compared to 16% on Instagram and 8% on YouTube. In other cases, however, Instagram and YouTube showed higher rates of pro-China content than TikTok. For example, 50% of searches about "Uyghur" and "Xinjiang" on YouTube were considered positive, compared to less than 25% on TikTok. The researchers said this is because some YouTube accounts are linked to state actors.<ref name="Clanton-2024" /> According to their survey, people who use TikTok more than three hours daily are significantly more positive about China's human rights record compared to those who do not use the app. TikTok pushed back against the NCRI, saying that making "accounts that interact with the app in a prescribed manner" is not the same as the experience of real users and some of the events being compared happened before TikTok existed.<ref name="Clanton-2024" />

=== Extremism and hate ===
Concerns have been voiced regarding content relating to, and the promotion and spreading of, [[Social:Hate speech|hate speech]] and far-right extremism, such as antisemitism, [[Religion:Islamophobia|islamophobia]], racism, and [[Social:Xenophobia|xenophobia]]. Some videos were shown to expressly promote [[Unsolved:Holocaust denial|Holocaust denial]] and told viewers to take up arms and fight in the name of [[Social:White supremacy|white supremacy]] and the [[Swastika|swastika]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Weimann & Masri |title=Research Note: Spreading Hate on TikTok |journal=Studies in Conflict & Terrorism |date=25 May 2020 |volume=46 |issue=5 |pages=752–765 |doi=10.1080/1057610X.2020.1780027 |s2cid=225776569 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1057610X.2020.1780027 |access-date=2 March 2021 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524231908/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1057610X.2020.1780027 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> As TikTok has gained popularity among young children,<ref>{{cite news |last1= |date=19 February 2020 |title=TikTok 'family safety mode' gives parents some app control |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51561050 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126084919/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51561050 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |access-date=2 March 2021 |work=BBC News}}</ref> and the popularity of extremist and hateful content is growing, calls for tighter restrictions on their flexible boundaries have been made. TikTok has since released tougher parental controls to filter out inappropriate content and to ensure they can provide sufficient 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114182339/https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-tightens-privacy-of-accounts-belonging-to-under-16s-2021-1?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=14 January 2021 |access-date=2 March 2021 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>

In October 2019, TikTok removed about two dozen accounts that were responsible for posting ISIL propaganda and execution videos on the app.<ref>{{cite web |last=Feuer |first=William |date=22 October 2019 |title=TikTok removes two dozen accounts used for ISIS propaganda |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/21/tiktok-removes-two-dozen-accounts-used-for-isis-propaganda.html |url-status=live |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 |access-date=21 October 2019 |website=CNBC |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wells |first=Georgia |date=23 October 2019 |title=Islamic State's TikTok Posts Include Beheading Videos |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-states-tiktok-posts-include-beheading-videos-11571855833 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |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 |access-date=25 October 2019 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In Malaysia, TikTok is used by some users to engage in hate speech against race and religion especially mentioning the 13 May incident after the 2022 election. TikTok responded by taking down videos with content that violated their community guidelines.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2204766/media |title=Hate speech emerges on Malaysian TikTok as political uncertainty drags out. |work=Arab News |last=Tan |first=Arlene |date=23 November 2022 |access-date=4 December 2022 |archive-date=4 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204032901/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2204766/media |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2023, ''The Jewish Chronicle'' reported that TikTok still hosted videos that promoted the neo-Nazi propaganda film ''[[Unsolved:Europa: The Last Battle]]'', despite having been alerted to the issue four months prior. TikTok said it removed and would continue to remove the content and associated accounts and has blocked the search term as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pope |first=Felix |date=2 March 2023 |title=TikTok is still hosting Nazi propaganda, despite warnings |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/news/tiktok-is-still-hosting-nazi-propaganda-despite-warnings-4gQbtSbh62F740bRGs8Kpy |access-date=26 March 2023 |website=The Jewish Chronicle |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326115940/https://www.thejc.com/news/news/tiktok-is-still-hosting-nazi-propaganda-despite-warnings-4gQbtSbh62F740bRGs8Kpy |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2024, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue reported that an organized neo-Nazi TikTok network promoting neo-Nazi propaganda, including ''Europa: The Last Battle'', was receiving millions of views and was having its content promoted by TikTok's algorithm.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Doctor |first1=Nathan |last2=Fiennes |first2=Guy |last3=O'Connor |first3=Ciarán |date=29 July 2024 |title=NazTok: An organized neo-Nazi TikTok network is getting millions of views |url=https://www.isdglobal.org/digital_dispatches/naztok-an-organized-neo-nazi-tiktok-network-is-getting-millions-of-views/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Institute for Strategic Dialogue |language=en-GB |archive-date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730142457/https://www.isdglobal.org/digital_dispatches/naztok-an-organized-neo-nazi-tiktok-network-is-getting-millions-of-views/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gilbert |first=David |date=Jul 29, 2024 |title=TikTok Has a Nazi Problem |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-nazi-content-moderation/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Konig |first=Joseph |date=July 30, 2024 |title=Report: Extremist content getting millions of views on TikTok |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2024/07/29/nazi-content-tiktok-views-report |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=NY1 |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2024, Sky News reported that clips of [[Biography:Adolf Hitler|Adolf Hitler]]'s speeches with added music were attracting high levels of engagement on TikTok. Although they were removed by TikTok after the report, mixing audio remains an effective way to evade content moderation on many platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Doak |first1=Sam |last2=Cheshire |first2=Tom |date=13 September 2024 |title=Sky News investigation finds over 70,000 TikTok posts using Nazi recordings |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sky-news-investigation-finds-over-70-000-tiktok-posts-using-nazi-recordings-13210624 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=25 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925033629/https://news.sky.com/story/sky-news-investigation-finds-over-70-000-tiktok-posts-using-nazi-recordings-13210624 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2025, Media Matters reported that Google's Veo 3 text-to-video model for AI-generated content is being used to generate large numbers of dehumanizing and violent videos with racist and antisemitic tropes which are being shared on TikTok.<ref name="Richards">{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Abbie |title=Racist AI-generated videos are the newest slop garnering millions of views on TikTok |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/tiktok/racist-ai-generated-videos-are-newest-slop-garnering-millions-views-tiktok?emci=e88f6371-b15e-f011-8dc9-6045bdfe8e9c&emdi=a0671a32-c45e-f011-8dc9-6045bdfe8e9c&ceid=2535460 |access-date=13 July 2025 |work=Media Matters for America |date=1 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Graphic content ===
In June 2021, TikTok made an apology after a shock video, showing a girl dancing which then cuts to a graphic scene of a man being beheaded by a saw, went viral. The video has been put on TikTok's blacklist, which detects it before being uploaded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilbody-Dickerson |first=Claire |date=10 June 2021 |title=TikTok users lured into watching girl dance before video cuts to man's beheading |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tiktok-users-lured-watching-girl-24291497 |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=The Mirror |language=en |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316163849/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tiktok-users-lured-watching-girl-24291497 |url-status=live }}</ref> TikTok has previously worked to remove graphic content from its platform, including a suicide video that circulated in September 2020, which had appeared among the recommended clips of TikTok's For You section.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haasch |first=Palmer |title=TikTok removes a graphic video depicting a girl's beheading after users said they were 'traumatized' by the footage |url=https://www.insider.com/tiktok-beheading-video-removing-from-platform-2021-6 |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316163850/https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-beheading-video-removing-from-platform-2021-6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 2020 |title=TikTok tries to remove widely shared suicide clip |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54069650 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908141737/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54069650 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |access-date=31 December 2023 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Misinformation ===

TikTok has banned [[Unsolved:Holocaust denial|Holocaust denial]], but other conspiracy theories have become popular on the platform, such as Pizzagate and [[Social:QAnon|QAnon]] (two conspiracy theories popular among the US [[Religion:Alt-right|alt-right]]) whose hashtags reached almost 80&nbsp;million views and 50&nbsp;million views respectively by June 2020.<ref name="Dellinger-2020">{{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}}</ref> The platform has also been used to spread misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic, such as clips from ''[[Unsolved:Plandemic|Plandemic]]''.<ref name="Dellinger-2020" /> 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 news |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}}</ref>

In January 2020, left-leaning media watchdog Media Matters for America said that TikTok hosted [[Social:Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic|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 |work=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 magazine |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 |magazine=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> It reported that in the second half of 2020, over 340,000 videos in the US about election misinformation and 50,000 videos of COVID-19 misinformation were removed.<ref name=mashable19sep2022>{{cite web | url=https://mashable.com/article/tiktok-misinformation-report-newsguard-abortion | title=TikTok's search suggests misinformation almost 20 percent of the time, says report | website=Mashable | date=19 September 2022 | access-date=20 September 2022 | archive-date=19 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919143928/https://www.mashable.com/article/tiktok-misinformation-report-newsguard-abortion | url-status=live }}</ref>

To combat misinformation in the 2022 midterm election in the US, TikTok announced a midterms Elections Center available in-app to users in 40 different languages. TikTok partnered with the National Association of Secretaries of State to give accurate local information to users.<ref>{{cite web |title=TikTok launches an in-app US midterms Elections Center, shares plan to fight misinformation |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/17/tiktok-launches-an-in-app-u-s-midterms-elections-center-shares-plan-to-fight-misinformation/ |date=17 August 2022 |website=Newsroom {{!}} TikTok |access-date=17 August 2022 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817100305/https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/17/tiktok-launches-an-in-app-u-s-midterms-elections-center-shares-plan-to-fight-misinformation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2022, NewsGuard Technologies reported that among the TikTok searches it had conducted and analyzed from the US, 19.4% surfaced misinformation such as questionable or harmful content about [[Medicine:COVID-19 vaccine|COVID-19 vaccine]]s, homemade remedies, the 2020 US elections, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Robb Elementary School shooting, and abortion. NewsGuard suggested that in contrast, results from [[Company:Google|Google]] were of higher quality.<ref>{{cite web |title=Misinformation Monitor: September 2022 |url=https://www.newsguardtech.com/misinformation-monitor/september-2022/ |website=NewsGuard |publisher=NewsGuard Technologies, Inc |access-date=26 November 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018190939/https://www.newsguardtech.com/misinformation-monitor/september-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mashable's own test from Australia found innocuous results after searching for "getting my COVID vaccine" but suggestions such as "climate change is a myth" after typing in "climate change".<ref name="mashable19sep2022" />

In November 2023, Singaporean Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam applied for court orders requiring TikTok to provide information on the identity of three users that he accuses of spreading false and defamatory information about him. The users had shared on TikTok an article published by celebscritic.com alleging that K. Shanmugam was involved in an extra-marital affair.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shanmugam seeks court order requiring TikTok to name users who posted 'false, baseless' claims of extra-marital affair |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/shanmugam-court-order-require-tiktok-name-users-false-allegations-extramarital-2314151 |work=TODAY |language=en |access-date=22 February 2024 |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222113724/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/shanmugam-court-order-require-tiktok-name-users-false-allegations-extramarital-2314151 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to an investigation published in September 2025 by Moldovan newspaper ''Ziarul de Gardă'', before the [[Social:2025 Moldovan parliamentary election|2025 Moldovan parliamentary election]], hundreds of accounts with false identities were created to spread Russian propaganda in TikTok and Facebook.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zaharescu |first=Natalia |date=4 September 2025 |title=Armata digitală a Kremlinului. Investigație sub acoperire. "Se plătește, hai să vă spun, se plătește direct de la Moscova" |url=https://www.zdg.md/investigatii/ancheta/video-armata-digitala-a-kremlinului-investigatie-sub-acoperire-se-plateste-hai-sa-va-spun-se-plateste-direct-de-la-moscova/ |newspaper=Ziarul de Gardă |language=ro}}</ref> That month, Bloomberg reported, citing European officials and documents of undisclosed origin, that Russia had prepared a plan to interfere in the election, which would have included a disinformation campaign in both [[Social:Romanian language|Romanian]] and [[Russian language|Russian]] on Facebook, [[Software:Telegram|Telegram]] and TikTok.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nardelli |first=Alberto |date=22 September 2025 |title=Revealed: Putin's Secret Plan to Hack Moldova's Pivotal Election |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-22/moldova-elections-russia-s-plan-to-hack-the-vote |url-access=subscription |publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref> In the run-up to the election, TikTok removed over 134,000 fake accounts, almost 2 million fake [[Social:Friending and following|followers]], 1,173 accounts impersonating Moldovan officials and over 9,300 videos that violated rules on civic integrity, disinformation and [[Generative artificial intelligence|AI content generation]]; prevented 2.9 million fake [[Like button|likes]] and 1.8 million fake follow requests, also blocking the creation of over 268,000 [[Spamming|spam]] accounts; and dismantled five coordinated networks with at least 7,593 accounts that "promoted pro-Russian politicians and attempted to discredit the current government". Furthermore, TikTok developed an in-app Electoral Center in partnership with the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova and worked with Reuters and the STOP FALS! Moldovan organization to fight, identify and educate about disinformation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://moldova1.md/p/60125/tiktok-removed-134k-fake-accounts-and-2m-fake-followers-ahead-of-elections|title=TikTok removed 134K fake accounts and 2M fake followers ahead of elections|first=Bogdan|last=Nigai|publisher=Moldova 1|date=21 October 2024}}</ref>

==== Russian invasion of Ukraine ====
 As of 2022, TikTok is the 10th most popular app in Russia.<ref name=guardian10mar2022>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/10/tiktok-users-in-russia-can-see-only-old-russian-made-content |title=TikTok users in Russia can see only old Russian-made content |first=Dan |last=Milmo |date=10 March 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=25 May 2022 |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513030337/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/10/tiktok-users-in-russia-can-see-only-old-russian-made-content |url-status=live }}</ref> After a new set of Russian war censorship laws was installed in March 2022, the company announced a series of restrictions on Russian and non-Russian posts and livestreams.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/06/tiktok-suspends-content-in-russia-in-response-to-fake-news-law/ |title=TikTok suspends content in Russia in response to 'fake news' law |publisher=Techcrunch.com |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318181302/https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/06/tiktok-suspends-content-in-russia-in-response-to-fake-news-law/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/06/tiktok-russia-putin-fake-news-law/ |title=TikTok suspends new posts in Russia due to the country's recent 'fake news' law |newspaper=The Washington Post |place=London |date=6 March 2022 |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309153130/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/06/tiktok-russia-putin-fake-news-law/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Tracking Exposed'', a user data rights group, learned of what was likely a technical glitch that became exploited by pro-Russia posters. It stated that although this and other loopholes were patched by TikTok before the end of March, the initial failure to correctly implement the restrictions, in addition to the effects from Kremlin's "fake news" laws, contributed to the formation of a "splInternet ... dominated by pro-war content" in Russia.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Faddoul |first1=Marc |last2=Romano |first2=Salvatore |last3=Rama |first3=Ilir |last4=Kerby |first4=Natalie |last5=Giorgi |first5=Giulia |date=13 April 2022 |title=Content Restrictions on TikTok in Russia following the Ukrainian War |url=https://tracking.exposed/pdf/tiktok-russia-12april2022.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216013236/https://tracking.exposed/pdf/tiktok-russia-12april2022.pdf |archive-date=16 December 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |publisher=Tracking Exposed |quote=cannot be solely attributed to TikTok's content restriction policies. The 'fake news' law ... is likely to have also increased the level of self-censorship ... likely to be a technical glitch ... these loopholes and tried to patch them}}</ref><ref name=guardian10mar2022 /> TikTok said that it had removed 204 accounts for swaying public opinion about the war while obscuring their origins and that its fact checkers had removed 41,191 videos for violating its misinformation policies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/13/study-finds-tiktiks-ban-on-uploads-in-russia-failed-leaving-it-dominated-by-pro-war-content/ |title=Study finds TikTok's ban on uploads in Russia failed, leaving it dominated by pro-war content – TechCrunch |publisher=Techcrunch.com |date=13 April 2022 |access-date=25 May 2022 |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513131352/https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/13/study-finds-tiktiks-ban-on-uploads-in-russia-failed-leaving-it-dominated-by-pro-war-content/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/12/tiktok-russian-state-media-propaganda/ |title=Russian state media is still posting to TikTok a month after the app blocked new content – TechCrunch |publisher=Techcrunch.com |date=30 April 2021 |access-date=25 May 2022 |archive-date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514001309/https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/12/tiktok-russian-state-media-propaganda/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2023, BBC News reported that it had discovered nearly 800 fake TikTok accounts promoting Russian propaganda and disinformation. TikTok's own investigation found more than 12,000 fake accounts, including ones using additional languages such as English and Italian.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 December 2023 |title=Ukraine war: How TikTok fakes pushed Russian lies to millions |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67687449 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216090925/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67687449 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2024, TikTok removed the accounts of Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik.<ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok removes Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik, citing 'covert influence operations' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tiktok-removes-rt-sputnik-covert-operations-rcna172358 |work=NBC News |date=23 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Feminism ===
The growth of popularity and access to TikTok has contributed to a growth in popularity of digital feminist movements and discourse originating from the platform.<ref name="Simões-2023">{{Cite journal |last1=Simões |first1=Rita Basílio |last2=Baeta |first2=Agda Dias |last3=Costa |first3=Bruno Frutuoso |date= 2023|title=Mapping Feminist Politics on Tik Tok during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Content Analysis of the Hashtags #Feminismo and #Antifeminismo |journal=Journalism and Media |language=en |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=244–255 |doi=10.3390/journalmedia4010017 |doi-access=free |issn=2673-5172|hdl=10316/105475 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sigurdardottir |first1=Heba |last2=Rautajoki |first2=Hanna |date=2024-09-02 |title=Embodying scenes of moral disorder: Bodily gestures as a site of signification in feminist TikTok activism |journal=Nordic Journal of Media Studies |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=11–35 |doi=10.2478/njms-2024-0002 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Digital spaces like TikTok enable marginalized communities and activists, such as feminists, to feel safer and have an easier place to engage in discussion and dialogue or build an identity which might otherwise be impossible due to circumstances.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Vachhani |first=Sheena J. |date=3 December 2023 |title=Networked feminism in a digital age—mobilizing vulnerability and reconfiguring feminist politics in digital activism |journal=Gender, Work & Organization |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=1031–1048 |language=en |doi=10.1111/gwao.13097 |issn=0968-6673|doi-access=free }}</ref> The momentum of digital feminist movements through platforms like TikTok have additionally encouraged many social media agents and marketing campaigns around the world to adopt some degree of feminism as a part of their online image or personal brand.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Willem |first1=Cilia |last2=Tortajada |first2=Iolanda |date=23 March 2021 |title=Gender, Voice and Online Space: Expressions of Feminism on Social Media in Spain |url=https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/3851 |journal=Media and Communication |language=en |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=62–71 |doi=10.17645/mac.v9i2.3851 |doi-access=free |issn=2183-2439 |access-date=7 March 2024 |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229012700/https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/3851 |url-status=live }}</ref> TikTok's unique platform organization, of spontaneous peer-peer information sharing, has enabled its utilization for community-engaged, digital knowledge mobilization and exchange between social justice communities.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=MacKinnon |first1=Kinnon Ross |last2=Kia |first2=Hannah |last3=Lacombe-Duncan |first3=Ashley |date=9 December 2021 |title=Examining TikTok's Potential for Community-Engaged Digital Knowledge Mobilization With Equity-Seeking Groups |journal=Journal of Medical Internet Research |volume=23 |issue=12 |article-number=e30315 |doi=10.2196/30315 |doi-access=free |issn=1439-4456 |pmc=8704107 |pmid=34889739}}</ref> However inversely enabled by the platform's organic potential, both feminist challenges and anti-feminist reinforcement of dominant social, hierarchical, and gender values are widespread and instigated through TikTok, and content labeled as anti-feminist is itself popularized on TikTok.<ref name="Simões-2023" />

== Usage ==
=== Demographics ===

TikTok tends to appeal to younger users, as 41% of its users are between the ages of 16 and 24. {{As of|2021}}, these individuals are considered Generation Z.<ref name="Cervi 198–204"/> Among these TikTok users, 90% said they used the app daily.<ref>{{cite web |last=Meola |first=Andrew |title=Analyzing Tik Tok user growth and usage patterns in 2020 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-marketing-trends-predictions-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225032607/https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-marketing-trends-predictions-2020 |archive-date=25 February 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> TikTok's geographical use in 2019 has shown that 43% of new users were from India before the social platform was banned in the country.<ref name="Mediakix-2019">{{cite web |date=7 March 2019 |title=13 TikTok Stats for Marketers: TikTok Demographics, Statistics, & Key Data |url=https://mediakix.com/blog/top-tik-tok-statistics-demographics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204072918/https://mediakix.com/blog/top-tik-tok-statistics-demographics/ |archive-date=4 December 2019 |access-date=5 December 2019 |website=Mediakix}}</ref> But adults have also seen growth on TikTok. The share of US adults who regularly get news from TikTok hit 5% in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matsa |first=Katerina Eva |title=More Americans are getting news on TikTok, bucking the trend seen on most other social media sites |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/15/more-americans-are-getting-news-on-tiktok-bucking-the-trend-seen-on-most-other-social-media-sites/ |access-date=15 November 2023 |website=Pew Research Center |date=15 November 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115221314/https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/15/more-americans-are-getting-news-on-tiktok-bucking-the-trend-seen-on-most-other-social-media-sites/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

By July 2023, TikTok has become the primary news source for British teenagers on social media, with 28% of 12 to 15-year-olds relying on the platform, while traditional sources like BBC One/Two are more trusted at 82%, according to a report by UK regulator Ofcom.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hassan |first=Marwa |date=20 July 2023 |title=TikTok becoming go-to news source for UK teens, Ofcom survey reveals |language=en |work=The national |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/07/20/tiktok-becoming-go-to-news-source-for-uk-teens-ofcom-survey-reveals/ |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724075303/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/07/20/tiktok-becoming-go-to-news-source-for-uk-teens-ofcom-survey-reveals/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of the first quarter of 2022, there were over 100 million monthly active users in the United States and 23 million in the UK. The average user, daily, was spending 1 hour and 25 minutes on the app and opening TikTok 17 times.<ref name="wiredstats">{{cite magazine |last=Stokel-Walker |first=Chris |date=21 February 2022 |title=TikTok Wants Longer Videos—Whether You Like It or Not |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-wants-longer-videos-like-not/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528075153/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-wants-longer-videos-like-not/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Out of TikTok's top 100 male creators, a 2022 analysis reported 67% were white, with 54% having near-perfect [[Facial symmetry|facial symmetry]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Foster |first1=Jordan |last2=Baker |first2=Jayne |date=July 2022 |title=Muscles, Makeup, and Femboys: Analyzing TikTok's "Radical" Masculinities |journal=Social Media + Society |language=en |volume=8 |issue=3 |page=205630512211260 |doi=10.1177/20563051221126040 |s2cid=252562169 |issn=2056-3051|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==== Teenage mode ====
China heavily regulates how Douyin is used by minors in the country, especially after 2018.<ref name="Zhang-2023">{{cite web |last=Zhang |first=Zeyi |date=8 March 2023 |title=How China takes extreme measures to keep teens off TikTok |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/03/08/1069527/china-tiktok-douyin-teens-privacy/ |website=MIT Technology Review |access-date=13 July 2023 |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713073518/https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/03/08/1069527/china-tiktok-douyin-teens-privacy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Under government pressure, ByteDance introduced parental controls and a "teenage mode" that shows only whitelisted content, such as knowledge sharing, and bans pranks, superstition, dance clubs, and pro-LGBT content.{{efn|Strictly legal explainers are still available on topics such as same-sex marriage.}}<ref name=Hung>{{Cite news |last1=Hung |first1=Allison |last2=Rollet |first2=Charles |date=3 January 2023 |title=Douyin Bans Pro-LGBT Content |work=[[Company:IPVM|IPVM]] |url=https://ipvm.com/reports/douyin-bans-pro-lgbt |access-date=16 July 2023 |archive-date=7 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107051419/https://ipvm.com/reports/douyin-bans-pro-lgbt |url-status=live }}</ref> A mandatory screen time limit was put in place for users under the age of 14 and a requirement to link accounts to a real identity to prevent minors from lying about their age or using an adult's account. The differences between Douyin and TikTok have led some US politicians and commentators to accuse the company or the Chinese government of malicious intent.<ref name="Zhang-2023" /><ref>{{Cite web| last = Nash| first = Ashley| title = Is there a difference between TikTok in the U.S. and China? A social media analyst compares it to opium and spinach| work = Deseret News| date = 24 November 2022| url = https://www.deseret.com/2022/11/24/23467181/difference-between-tik-tok-in-china-and-the-us| access-date = 23 March 2023| archive-date = 22 March 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230322210141/https://www.deseret.com/2022/11/24/23467181/difference-between-tik-tok-in-china-and-the-us| url-status = live}}</ref> In March 2023, TikTok announced default screen time limits for users under the age of 18. Those under the age of 13 would need a passcode from their parents to extend their time.<ref name="Zhang-2023" />

==== Underage users ====
As with other platforms popular with children, underage users may inadvertently reveal their daily routine and whereabouts, raising concerns of potential misuse by sexual predators.<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|date=16 November 2018 |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><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|work=WNCT |date=20 September 2018|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> At the time of reporting (2018), TikTok had only two privacy settings, either private or completely public, without any middle ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://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=South China Morning Post|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> Comment sections of "sexy" videos, such as young girls dancing in revealing clothes, were found to contain requests for nude pictures. Despite safety concerns, TikTok began rolling out photo, video, and voice messaging around 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Aisha |date=2025-08-29 |title=TikTok now lets users send voice notes and images in DMs |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/29/tiktok-now-lets-users-send-voice-notes-and-images-in-dms/ |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> As of January 2026, the features are only available in certain regions, including the United States and Canada. In recent years, the US has charged and sentenced sexual predators for illegal activities on TikTok against underage girls.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilson |first=Grace |date=24 January 2024 |title=Boston man sentenced to 22 years in prison on child porn charges for luring 13-year-old girl over TikTok |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/24/metro/level-3-sex-offender-sentenced-to-22-years-in-prison-in-boston/ |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=bostonglobe.com |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128183357/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/24/metro/level-3-sex-offender-sentenced-to-22-years-in-prison-in-boston/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=Chris |date=19 September 2023 |title=Long Island TikToker Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography in Cyber-Bullying Case |url=https://www.longisland.com/news/09-19-23/long-island-tiktoker-sentenced-to-over-17-years-in-prison-for-distributing-child-pornography-in-cyber-bullying-case.html |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=longisland.com |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316163906/https://www.longisland.com/news/09-19-23/long-island-tiktoker-sentenced-to-over-17-years-in-prison-for-distributing-child-pornography-in-cyber-bullying-case.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 April 2021 |title=Ohio Man Admits Posing as Teen, Receiving Explicit Videos from Minor and Posting Them on TikTok |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/ohio-man-admits-posing-teen-receiving-explicit-videos-minor-and-posting-them-tiktok |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=U.S. Department of Justice |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128184516/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/ohio-man-admits-posing-teen-receiving-explicit-videos-minor-and-posting-them-tiktok |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vadaj |first=Rachel |date=14 December 2021 |title=Lakewood man sentenced to 10 years in prison after posting sexually explicit videos of minors on TikTok |url=https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/12/15/lakewood-man-sentenced-10-years-prison-after-posting-sexually-explicit-videos-minors-tiktok/ |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=cleveland19.com |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128184517/https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/12/15/lakewood-man-sentenced-10-years-prison-after-posting-sexually-explicit-videos-minors-tiktok/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 22 January 2021, the Italian Data Protection Authority demanded that TikTok temporarily suspend Italian users whose age could not be established.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 January 2021|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=22 January 2021|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129104045/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/nation/story/2021-01-22/italy-takes-action-against-tik-tok-following-girls-death|url-status=live}}</ref> The order came after the death of a 10-year-old Sicilian girl involved in an Internet challenge. TikTok asked its users in Italy to confirm again that they were over 13 years old. By May, over 500,000 accounts had been removed for failing the age check.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lomas|first=Natasha|title=TikTok removes 500k+ accounts in Italy after DPA order to block underage users|date=12 May 2021|publisher=Tech Crunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/05/12/tiktok-removes-500k-accounts-in-italy-after-dpa-order-to-block-underage-users/|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717084617/https://techcrunch.com/2021/05/12/tiktok-removes-500k-accounts-in-italy-after-dpa-order-to-block-underage-users/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2021, the Dutch Data Protection Authority fined TikTok €750,000 for offering privacy statements only in English but not in Dutch. It noted that TikTok had implemented positive measures, such as forbidding direct messaging for users younger than 16 and allowing their parents to manage privacy settings directly through a paired family account, but the risk of children pretending to be older when creating their account remains.<ref name="DutchEDPB">{{Cite web |date=22 July 2021 |title=Dutch DPA: TikTok fined for violating children's privacy |url=https://edpb.europa.eu/news/national-news/2021/dutch-dpa-tiktok-fined-violating-childrens-privacy_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717090121/https://edpb.europa.eu/news/national-news/2021/dutch-dpa-tiktok-fined-violating-childrens-privacy_en |archive-date=17 July 2023 |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=European Data Protection Board}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Dutch data protection authority fines TikTok over privacy|date=22 July 2021|work=Associated Press News|url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-europe-business-data-privacy-0f62eda2f5c20cb431ccde994f5357bd|access-date=17 July 2023|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717084619/https://apnews.com/article/technology-europe-business-data-privacy-0f62eda2f5c20cb431ccde994f5357bd|url-status=live}}</ref> TikTok raised the minimum age for livestreaming from 16 to 18 after a BBC News investigation found hundreds of accounts going live from Syrian refugee camps. Thirty of them showed children begging for digital donation. TikTok reportedly made as much as a 70% commission on some of them, a figure that the company disputed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 October 2022 |title=TikTok to ban children from livestreaming |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63262102 |access-date=21 October 2022 |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021085815/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63262102 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2024, the Italian Competition Authority fined TikTok €10 million for not protecting underage users adequately from harmful content such as the "French scar" challenge, which left heavy pinch marks on a person's cheeks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2024 |title=Italy regulator fines TikTok $11 million over content checks |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/italy-regulator-fines-tiktok-11-mln-over-inadequate-checks-harmful-content-2024-03-14/ |access-date=14 March 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref> On December 30, 2024, Venezuela's Supreme Court fined TikTok $10 million over viral challenges that authorities say led to the deaths of three children. The court cited TikTok's negligence in failing to implement "necessary and adequate measures" to prevent the viral video challenges.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 30, 2024 |title=Venezuela fines TikTok over deadly viral challenges |url=https://www.dw.com/en/venezuela-fines-tiktok-over-deadly-viral-challenges/a-71188236 |access-date=December 31, 2024 |work=Deutsche Welle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Arraez |first1=Juan Pablo |last2=Rueda |first2=Manuel |date=December 30, 2024 |title=Venezuela's top court issues a $10 million fine for TikTok over allegedly deadly video challenges |url=https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-tiktok-viral-video-childrens-deaths-c2e9a4d6f7387c72d0c53b881c54786d |access-date=December 31, 2024 |work=Associated Press}}</ref>

=== Influencer marketing ===
[[File:Booktok section, Barnes & Nobel, The Grove, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.jpg|thumb|The BookTok section at a [[Company:Barnes & Noble|Barnes & Noble]] store at The Grove at Farmers Market in Hollywood, February 2022]]
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 [[Social:Influencer marketing|influencer marketing]].<ref name="Dilon-2020">{{cite web|last=Dilon|first=Cell|year=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|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=20 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120004216/https://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/download/5917/2148/|url-status=live}}</ref> The platform's algorithm also contributes to the influencer marketing potential, as it picks out content according to the user's preference.<ref name="Haenlein-2020">{{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=13 October 2020|title=Navigating the New Era of Influencer Marketing: How to be Successful on Instagram, TikTok, & Co.|journal=California Management Review|volume=63|issue=1 |pages=5–25|doi=10.1177/0008125620958166|s2cid=222347758|doi-access=free}}</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="Haenlein-2020" /> Influencers on the platform who earn money through engagement, such as likes and comments, are referred to as "meme machines".<ref name="Dilon-2020" />

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=20 March 2021|title=How Crying on TikTok Sells Books|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/books/booktok-tiktok-video.html|access-date=21 March 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321184118/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/books/booktok-tiktok-video.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2022, NBC News reported in a television segment that some TikTok and YouTube influencers were being given free and discounted cosmetic surgeries in order for them to advertise the surgeries to users of the platforms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryu |first1=Jenna |title=Young people are documenting, recording their plastic surgery on TikTok. Here's why that's a bad thing. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/12/05/tiktok-videos-show-plastic-surgery-botox-fillers-teens-watching/10806687002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=31 December 2022 |date=5 December 2022 |quote=However, "#FillerNation" also exposes a lesser-known reality: Many of these influencers said they received thousands of dollars worth of cosmetic surgeries for free, or at a discounted price, to market to their audiences – without having to publicly disclose the transaction. |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930054939/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/12/05/tiktok-videos-show-plastic-surgery-botox-fillers-teens-watching/10806687002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, it was reported that a trend called "de-influencing" had become popular on the platform as a backlash to influencer marketing. TikTok creators participating in this trend made videos criticizing products promoted by influencers and asked their audiences not to buy products they did not need. However, some creators participating in the trend started promoting alternative products to their audiences and earning commission from sales made through their [[Finance:Affiliate marketing|affiliate]] links in the same manner as the influencers they were originally criticizing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hadero |first1=Haleluya |last2=Swenson |first2=Ali |title=TikTok 'de-influencers' want Gen Z to buy less – and more |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/style/300808056/tiktok-deinfluencers-want-gen-z-to-buy-less--and-more |website=Stuff |access-date=26 February 2023 |language=en |date=15 February 2023 |quote=And there might be money to be made in that as well. For example, some products mentioned in popular TikToker user alyssastephanie's de-influencing videos are listed on her Amazon Storefront, a personalised page on the e-commerce site where influencers earn commission from purchases made using affiliate links. |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413092523/https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/style/300808056/tiktok-deinfluencers-want-gen-z-to-buy-less--and-more |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bramley |first1=Ellie Violet |title=The sudden dawn of the deinfluencer: can online superstars stop us shopping? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/feb/22/the-sudden-dawn-of-the-deinfluencer-can-online-superstars-stop-us-shopping |website=The Guardian |date=22 February 2023 |access-date=26 February 2023 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907181011/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/feb/22/the-sudden-dawn-of-the-deinfluencer-can-online-superstars-stop-us-shopping |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2022, ''NBC News'' reported that some of the influencers paid by ''FeetFinder'', a website that sells foot fetish content, did not disclose their videos were ads. FeetFinder said that it has suggested to influencers to be upfront about who was funding them. Existing sellers on FeetFinder said that the videos often misrepresented how "easy" it is to make money from posting feet pictures. Other TikTok creators have spoken out against accepting sponsorship deals indiscriminately and criticized those who posted undisclosed FeetFinder ads.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sung |first1=Morgan |title=A foot fetish site and claims of overnight riches show murky world of TikTok's creator economy |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/tiktok-feetfinder-viral-video-sponsored-content-undisclosed-ad-rcna32400 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=15 July 2023 |language=en |date=14 June 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715134455/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/tiktok-feetfinder-viral-video-sponsored-content-undisclosed-ad-rcna32400 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Businesses ===
In October 2020, the e-commerce platform [[Company:Shopify|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 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212035054/https://www.ft.com/content/f11fe4a8-84ea-4f11-aa94-79fe8ed0688e |url-status=live }}</ref> Some [[Social:Small business|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 [[Biology:Beekeeping|beekeeping]] and [[Software:Logging|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 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=23 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323002704/https://www.theverge.com/21440183/tiktok-small-local-business-landscaping-beekeeping-home-renovation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2020, digital media companies such as Group Nine Media and 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 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123182643/https://digiday.com/marketing/theres-more-opportunity-publishers-on-tiktok-are-taking-branded-content-into-their-own-hands/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Notable collaborations between larger brands and top TikTok influencers have included [[Company:Chipotle Mexican Grill|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 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208182010/https://www.businessinsider.com/chipotle-tiktok-strategy-includes-influencers-paid-content-guacamole-2020-4 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101051319/https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/tiktok-proves-potent-marketing-channel-some-restaurants |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Sex workers ===
TikTok is regularly used by sex workers to promote pornographic content sold on platforms such as [[Company:OnlyFans|OnlyFans]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carman |first1=Ashley |title=OnlyFans stars say TikTok is making them rich |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/17/21439657/onlyfans-tiktok-subscribers-videos-fans |website=The Verge |access-date=7 March 2023 |date=17 September 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602175828/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/17/21439657/onlyfans-tiktok-subscribers-videos-fans |url-status=live }}</ref> One porn actor posted a viral song referring to himself as an "accountant", starting a trend.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Ed |title=How 'Accountant' became slang for adult content on TikTok |url=https://www.newsweek.com/what-tiktok-accountant-meme-meaning-sex-work-1571598 |website=Newsweek |access-date=7 March 2023 |language=en |date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327041749/http://www.newsweek.com/what-tiktok-accountant-meme-meaning-sex-work-1571598 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, TikTok updated their terms of service to ban content that promotes "premium sexual content", impacting a large number of adult content creators.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Dickson |first1=E. J. |title=OnlyFans Creators and Sex Workers Are Getting 'Purged' from TikTok |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/onlyfans-sex-workers-tiktok-purge-banned-1101928/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=7 March 2023 |date=17 December 2020 |quote=According to the new guidelines, users are forbidden from posting, streaming, or sharing nude or sexually explicit content as well as 'content that depicts, promotes, or glorifies sexual solicitation, including offering or asking for sexual partners, sexual chats or imagery, sexual services, premium sexual content, or sexcamming.' |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502012916/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/onlyfans-sex-workers-tiktok-purge-banned-1101928/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, they began substituting words in their captions and videos and using filters to censor explicit images.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lorenz |first1=Taylor |title=Internet 'algospeak' is changing our language in real time, from 'nip nops' to 'le dollar bean' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/08/algospeak-tiktok-le-dollar-bean/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=7 March 2023 |date=8 April 2022 |quote=Sex workers, who have long been censored by moderation systems, refer to themselves on TikTok as "accountants" and use the corn emoji as a substitute for the word "porn." |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103182931/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/08/algospeak-tiktok-le-dollar-bean/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sung |first1=Morgan |title=Some OnlyFans creators have found a loophole to put their nudes on TikTok |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/onlyfans-creators-loophole-nudes-tiktok-ai-filter-rcna56484 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=7 March 2023 |language=en |date=11 November 2022 |quote=Instead of referring to explicit photos as "nudes," for example, TikTok users will write out the word as "n00ds" or "spicy pics." Sex workers typically refer to themselves as "accountants" and refer to their content as "corn" instead of porn. |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031135/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/onlyfans-creators-loophole-nudes-tiktok-ai-filter-rcna56484 |url-status=live }}</ref> Some adult content creators have found a way to game TikTok's recommendation algorithm by posting riddles, attracting a large number of viewers that struggled to solve them. This increased potential [[Web traffic]] linked to the riddle posters' accounts on OnlyFans.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dinneen |first1=Steve |title=I'm sorry but the internet is at it again. The real reason OnlyFans users are posting unsolvable riddles on TikTok |url=https://www.cityam.com/im-sorry-but-the-internet-is-at-it-again-the-real-reason-onlyfans-users-are-posting-unsolvable-riddles-on-tiktok/ |website=CityAM |access-date=7 March 2023 |date=30 January 2023 |quote=The real reason so many people are making posts like these is because they think they have worked out a way to game the TikTok algorithm, thereby increasing potential traffic to their monetised OnlyFans accounts. |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031143/https://www.cityam.com/im-sorry-but-the-internet-is-at-it-again-the-real-reason-onlyfans-users-are-posting-unsolvable-riddles-on-tiktok/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Political ===
[[File:President Trump Signs an Executive Order in the Oval Office, Mar. 31, 2025 (2160p 60fps AV1-128kbit AAC).webm|thumb|start=19:51|end=21:00|US president Donald Trump references TikTok helped him win the 2024 election, implications on tariffs with China and restrictions in the US, March 2025.]]
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) actively recruits [[Social:Influencer|influencer]]s on TikTok and other social media platforms, often with what commentators have dubbed "[[Philosophy:Thirst trap|Thirst trap]]s".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Dickson |first1=Ej |title=Why Are Israeli Defense Forces Soldiers Posting Thirst Traps on TikTok? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/israel-defense-force-idf-tiktok-thirst-trap-1174211/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=27 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Makin |first1=Shira |title=TikTok… Boom! Israeli Army's Social Media Has 'Big Smiles' and Soldiers Doing Yoga. You Know What's Missing |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2020-10-13/ty-article-magazine/.premium/tiktok-boom-the-idf-conquers-instagram-and-co-on-the-digital-battlefield/0000017f-e100-d568-ad7f-f36be2fb0000 |work=Haaretz |date=Oct 13, 2020}}</ref> In a separate case in 2021, the IDF awarded a TikToker who was one of its military police officers for promoting the image of Israel. She had more followers than IDF spokesperson Ran Kochav or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.<ref>{{cite news |title=Soldier awarded certificate for promoting unit, IDF on TikTok |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/soldier-awarded-certificate-for-promoting-unit-idf-on-tiktok-684189 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=6 November 2021 |language=en |issn=0792-822X }}</ref>

Since 2021, TikTok has created "election centres" on its platform leading up to European Parliament elections. About 30% of EP lawmakers use TikTok to get their messages across and to dispel misinformation.<ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok to Ramp up Fight Against Fake News, Covert Influence Ahead of EU Elections |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/technology/articles/2024-02-14/tiktok-to-ramp-up-fight-against-fake-news-covert-influence-ahead-of-eu-elections |agency=Reuters |date=14 February 2024 |access-date=16 March 2024 |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316004654/https://www.usnews.com/news/technology/articles/2024-02-14/tiktok-to-ramp-up-fight-against-fake-news-covert-influence-ahead-of-eu-elections |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2024, the re-election campaign for then-US president Joe Biden announced that it had opened a TikTok account while taking "advanced safety precautions". Biden posted his first video during Super Bowl LVIII.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lukpat |first=Alyssa |title=President Biden Joins TikTok in Bid to Reach Younger Voters |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/president-biden-joins-tiktok-in-bid-to-reach-younger-voters-9dce373a |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=WSJ |language=en-US |archive-date=12 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191137/https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/president-biden-joins-tiktok-in-bid-to-reach-younger-voters-9dce373a |url-status=live }}</ref> The move was criticized by a number of lawmakers over security concerns. Since 2022, the Biden administration had briefed TikTokers on news items such as the Russo-Ukrainian war and [[Finance:Student debt|student debt]] relief in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=President Biden's Campaign Is on TikTok |url=https://time.com/6694077/president-biden-tiktok/ |magazine=TIME |date=12 February 2024 |language=en |access-date=22 February 2024 |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222110719/https://time.com/6694077/president-biden-tiktok/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Biden campaign decision to join TikTok raises national security concerns |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/13/joe-biden-tiktok-campaign-national-security-social-media |work=The Guardian |date=13 February 2024 |access-date=22 February 2024 |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222110719/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/13/joe-biden-tiktok-campaign-national-security-social-media |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Charities ===
Many charities use TikTok for fundraising and education, especially with younger audiences, charities using TikTok include; Oregon Zoo, Shelter, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, British Red Cross, [[Organization:American Heart Association|American Heart Association]], United Way, Catskill Animal Sanctuary and the Black Country Living Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How charities are reaching new audiences through TikTok |url=https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/tiktok-helped-us-reach-younger-audiences-say-charities.html |website=Civil Society |access-date=4 April 2024 |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404141821/https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/tiktok-helped-us-reach-younger-audiences-say-charities.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brands |first=Community |date=21 October 2021 |title=5 Inspiring Nonprofits that are Using TikTok to Fundraise |url=https://www.givesmart.com/blog/5-inspiring-nonprofits-that-are-using-tiktok-to-fundraise/ |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=GiveSmart |language=en-US |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404141818/https://www.givesmart.com/blog/5-inspiring-nonprofits-that-are-using-tiktok-to-fundraise/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Some TikTok influencers run their own events to raise money for charitable causes e.g. Mercury Stardust runs the TikTok-A-Thon for Trans Healthcare.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2023 |title=TikTokers raise over $1M for trans healthcare, gender-affirming surgeries |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/tiktok-fundraiser-trans-surgery-hrt-rcna77653 |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418012419/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/tiktok-fundraiser-trans-surgery-hrt-rcna77653 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2023 |title=These Trans Creators Have Raised Over $2 Million for Trans Healthcare on TikTok Live |url=https://www.them.us/story/trans-handy-maam-tiktok-live-trans-day-of-visibility-fundraiser |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Them |language=en-US |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603035409/https://www.them.us/story/trans-handy-maam-tiktok-live-trans-day-of-visibility-fundraiser |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaeckels |first=Beck |title=TikTokers are hosting a 30-hour livestream to raise money for trans healthcare — they hit $1 million in just 6 hours |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktokers-hosting-charity-livestream-for-trans-healthcare-2023-3 |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404141818/https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktokers-hosting-charity-livestream-for-trans-healthcare-2023-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> 'TikTok For Good' was created by TikTok to support fundraising on the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TikTok for Good: how charities can use TikTok to engage audiences |url=https://charitydigital.org.uk/topics/tiktok-for-good-how-charities-can-use-tiktok-to-engage-audiences-6974 |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Charity Digital |language=En |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404141824/https://charitydigital.org.uk/topics/tiktok-for-good-how-charities-can-use-tiktok-to-engage-audiences-6974 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{anchor|EduTok}}In 2019, TikTok announced the #EduTok Mentorship program,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Panache|publisher=The Economic Times {{!}} India Times|title=TikTok announces #EduTok programme to empower first-time internet users, hone soft skills|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/tiktok-announces-edutok-programme-to-empower-first-time-internet-users-hone-their-soft-skills/articleshow/71631407.cms|access-date=9 April 2024|archive-date=9 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409005034/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/tiktok-announces-edutok-programme-to-empower-first-time-internet-users-hone-their-soft-skills/articleshow/71631407.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> a live workshop series in the Indian states of Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Jammu inspired by the hashtag #EduTok, in which video creators present factually for purposes of education. In 2022, TikTok banned fundraising for political accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TikTok bans political accounts from fundraising, making money |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2022/09/23/tiktok-bans-political-accounts-from-fundraising-making-money |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=The Star |date=23 September 2022 |language=en |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404141818/https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2022/09/23/tiktok-bans-political-accounts-from-fundraising-making-money |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Privacy and security concerns ==
Privacy concerns have 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> TikTok's privacy policy lists that the app collects usage information, [[IP address]]es, a user's mobile carrier, [[Organization:Organizationally unique identifier|unique device identifier]]s, [[Keystroke dynamics|keystroke patterns]], and 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|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> Other information collected includes users inferred interests based on the content they view as well as content created by users.<ref name="Rodriguez-2021" /> TikTok is also able to track information about web users even if they are not users of the TikTok app. It collects information such as IP address, online browsing habits and web search history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-03 |title=TikTok tracks you even if you don't have the app, report says |url=https://www.the-independent.com/tech/tiktok-tracking-privacy-china-b2191599.html |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> TikTok can share data with its corporate group, including ByteDance. The company says that it employs access control and approval process overseen by a US-based team.<ref name="Rodriguez-2021" /> In June 2021, TikTok updated its privacy policy to include potential collection of biometric data, including "faceprints and voiceprints", for special effects and other purposes. The terms said that user authorization would be requested if local law demands such.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perez|first=Sarah|date=4 June 2021|title=TikTok just gave itself permission to collect biometric data on US users, including 'faceprints and voiceprints'|work=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/03/tiktok-just-gave-itself-permission-to-collect-biometric-data-on-u-s-users-including-faceprints-and-voiceprints/|access-date=3 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184227/https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/03/tiktok-just-gave-itself-permission-to-collect-biometric-data-on-u-s-users-including-faceprints-and-voiceprints/|url-status=live}}</ref> Experts considered them to be "vague" and their implications "problematic" for the United States due to the country's general lack of robust data privacy laws.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCluskey|first=Megan|date=14 June 2021|title=TikTok Has Started Collecting Your 'Faceprints' and 'Voiceprints.' Here's What It Could Do With Them|magazine=Time|url=https://time.com/6071773/tiktok-faceprints-voiceprints-privacy/|access-date=3 July 2021|archive-date=8 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708124010/https://time.com/6071773/tiktok-faceprints-voiceprints-privacy/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a November 2022 update to its European privacy policy, TikTok stated that its global corporate group employees from China and other countries could gain remote access to the user information of accounts from Europe based on "demonstrated need".<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 2022 |title=TikTok says staff in China can access UK and EU user data |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63494951 |access-date=19 March 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405000353/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63494951 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A March 2021 study by the Citizen Lab found that TikTok did not collect data beyond the industry norms, what its policy stated, or without additional user permission.<ref name="citizenlabexplained" /> In May 2023, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that former employees complained about TikTok tracking users who had viewed LGBT-related content. The company said its algorithm tracks interests not identity, and non-LGBT users also view such content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2023 |title=TikTok Tracked Users Who Watched Gay Content, Prompting Employee Complaints |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-tracked-users-who-watched-gay-content-prompting-employee-complaints-5966a5f5 |access-date=6 May 2023 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506000252/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-tracked-users-who-watched-gay-content-prompting-employee-complaints-5966a5f5 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2026, media and privacy regulators in Britain demanded for TikTok, along with other platforms to do more to keep children off their services, warning that companies were failing to enforce minimum age rules. As part of Britain's Online Safety Act, [[Organization:Ofcom|Ofcom]] told TikTok to show by April 30 how they would tighten age checks and restrict strangers from connecting with children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK watchdogs press Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube to block children |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/uk-watchdogs-press-meta-tiktok-snap-and-youtube-block-children-5987971 |access-date=2026-03-12 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref>

===Potential data collection by the Chinese government===
Concerns have been raised about the potential control and influence of the Chinese government over TikTok's owner, ByteDance,<ref name="Lee-2023">{{Cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Rachel |last2=Luttrell |first2=Prudence |last3=Johnson |first3=Matthew |last4=Garnaut |first4=John |date=14 March 2023 |title=TikTok, ByteDance, and their ties to the Chinese Communist Party |url=https://aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=a7e2a076-1112-4414-ba0f-f129e0cd39fe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319020720/https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=a7e2a076-1112-4414-ba0f-f129e0cd39fe |archive-date=19 March 2023 |access-date=18 March 2018 |website=Parliament of Australia |page=}}</ref> in particular the extraterritorial implications of China's 2017 National Intelligence Law.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sabin |first=Sam |date=15 March 2024 |title=China's national security laws are fueling TikTok fears |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/03/15/tiktok-ban-security-china-laws |access-date=15 March 2024 |work=Axios |archive-date=16 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316031001/https://www.axios.com/2024/03/15/tiktok-ban-security-china-laws |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 March 2023 |title=TikTok: Why do countries think Chinese tech firms are a security risk? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65019279 |access-date=16 March 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211184616/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65019279 |url-status=live }}</ref> An article in the law insists that all organizations and citizens shall "support, assist and cooperate with national intelligence efforts."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mueller |first1=Milton |last2=Farhat |first2=Karim |title=TikTok and US national security |url=https://www.internetgovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/TikTok-and-US-national-security-3-1.pdf |website=Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Public Policy, Internet Governance Project |access-date=16 March 2024 |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229123654/https://www.internetgovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/TikTok-and-US-national-security-3-1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Milmo |first1=Dan |date=8 November 2022 |title=TikTok's ties to China: why concerns over your data are here to stay |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/07/tiktoks-china-bytedance-data-concerns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123182919/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/07/tiktoks-china-bytedance-data-concerns |archive-date=23 November 2023 |access-date=25 November 2023 |work=The Guardian |quote=...considerable doubt is generated by China's National Intelligence Law of 2017, which states that all organisations and citizens shall "support, assist and cooperate" with national intelligence efforts.}}</ref> Analysts differ in their assessments of the data collection risks. Jim Lewis of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said TikTok would have no right to appeal requests for data made by the Chinese government.<ref name="Rodriguez-2021" /> Some cybersecurity experts say individual users are not at risk.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wylde |first=Kaitlyn |date=16 July 2020 |title=Cybersecurity Experts Explain Why You Don't Need To Delete TikTok Off Your Phone |url=https://www.bustle.com/life/is-tiktok-safe-to-download-cybersecurity-experts-explain |access-date=14 September 2020 |website=Bustle |publisher=Bustle Digital Group |quote=Both Podnar and Robinson agree that individual users are not at risk of data breaches and should not be concerned with the collection of data. |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913173123/https://www.bustle.com/life/is-tiktok-safe-to-download-cybersecurity-experts-explain |url-status=live }}</ref> The United States has not offered any evidence of TikTok sharing such information with Chinese authorities.<ref>{{cite news |title=House overwhelmingly votes to ban TikTok if its Chinese owner doesn't sell |url=https://fortune.com/2024/03/13/house-passes-tiktok-ban-senate-path-unclear/ |work=Fortune |date=13 March 2024 |language=en |access-date=16 March 2024 |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404003213/https://fortune.com/2024/03/13/house-passes-tiktok-ban-senate-path-unclear/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Keeping user data within the United States became the motivation behind TikTok's Project Texas.<ref name="Rodriguez-2021" />

==== Access from China and United States response ====
In October 2021, following the 2021 Facebook leak and controversies about social media ethics, a bipartisan group of United States lawmakers also pressed TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat on questions of data privacy and moderation for age-appropriate content. Lawmakers also "hammered" TikTok about whether consumer data could be turned over to the Chinese government through ByteDance, its parent company in China.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=McCabe|first1=David|last2=Conger|first2=Kate|last3=Wakabayashi|first3=Daisuke|date=26 October 2021|title=YouTube, Snap and TikTok executives take their turn answering to Washington.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/26/technology/youtube-snap-and-tiktok-executives-take-their-turn-answering-to-washington.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/26/technology/youtube-snap-and-tiktok-executives-take-their-turn-answering-to-washington.html |archive-date=28 December 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=29 October 2021|issn=0362-4331}} </ref> TikTok said it does not give information to China's government and "US user data" is stored within the country with backups in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bartz|first1=Diane|last2=Dang|first2=Sheila|date=26 October 2021|title=TikTok tells U.S. lawmakers it does not give information to China's government|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-tells-us-lawmakers-it-does-not-give-information-chinas-government-2021-10-26/|access-date=29 October 2021|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104192928/https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-tells-us-lawmakers-it-does-not-give-information-chinas-government-2021-10-26/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2022, ''BuzzFeed News'' reported that leaked audio recordings of internal TikTok meetings reveal employees in China had access to overseas data, including a "master admin" who could see "everything". Some of the recordings were made during consultations with [[Company:Booz Allen Hamilton|Booz Allen Hamilton]], a US government contractor. A spokesperson of the contractor said some of the report's information was inaccurate but would neither confirm nor deny whether TikTok was one of its clients.<ref name="Baker-White-2022">{{Cite web |last=Baker-White |first=Emily |date=17 June 2022 |title=Leaked Audio From 80 Internal TikTok Meetings Shows That US User Data Has Been Repeatedly Accessed From China |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilybakerwhite/tiktok-tapes-us-user-data-china-bytedance-access |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624025154/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilybakerwhite/tiktok-tapes-us-user-data-china-bytedance-access |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=29 June 2022 |website=BuzzFeed News |language=en}}</ref> As a consequence, the Senate Intelligence Committee including US lawmakers Mark Warner and Marco Rubio called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate ByteDance and whether TikTok had misled them.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=5 July 2022 |title=Two senators call for FTC probe into TikTok over U.S. data access |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/two-senators-call-ftc-probe-into-tiktok-over-us-data-access-2022-07-05/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706042150/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/two-senators-call-ftc-probe-into-tiktok-over-us-data-access-2022-07-05/ |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=6 July 2022 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Baker-White |first1=Emily |date=5 July 2022 |title=Senate Intelligence Committee Calls On FTC To Investigate TikTok For 'Deception' |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/07/05/senate-intelligence-committee-calls-on-ftc-to-investigate-tiktok-for-deception/?sh=6bf07d106bd5 |access-date=25 November 2023 |archive-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126050938/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/07/05/senate-intelligence-committee-calls-on-ftc-to-investigate-tiktok-for-deception/?sh=6bf07d106bd5 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the reports, TikTok confirmed that employees in China could have access to US data.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vanian |first=Jonathan |title=TikTok tells U.S. lawmakers it's working to stop user data from being accessible to Chinese employees |date=1 July 2022 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/01/tiktok-says-its-working-to-protect-user-data-from-chinese-employees.html |publisher=CNBC |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623010319/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/01/tiktok-says-its-working-to-protect-user-data-from-chinese-employees.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It also announced that US user traffic would now be routed through [[Oracle Cloud]] and that backup copies would be deleted from other servers.<ref name="The Verge-2022">{{cite web |date=19 June 2022 |title=TikTok and Oracle teamed up after all, but concerns about data privacy remain |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/19/23174775/tiktok-oracle-team-up-concerns-data-privacy-remain |website=The Verge |access-date=29 June 2022 |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620162734/https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/19/23174775/tiktok-oracle-team-up-concerns-data-privacy-remain |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2022, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called for Google and Apple to remove TikTok from their app stores, saying sensitive data were being accessed from Beijing<ref name="Brian-2022" /><ref name="Engadget-2022">{{Cite web |date=29 June 2022 |title=FCC Commissioner urges Google and Apple to ban TikTok |url=https://www.engadget.com/fcc-commissioner-google-facebook-ban-tik-tok-064559992.html |access-date=29 June 2022 |website=Engadget |language=en-US |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705220224/https://www.engadget.com/fcc-commissioner-google-facebook-ban-tik-tok-064559992.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ByteDance would be "required by law to comply with [Chinese government] surveillance demands."<ref name="Brian-2022">{{Cite news |last=Brian |first=Fung |date=29 June 2022 |title=FCC commissioner calls on Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/29/tech/fcc-google-apple-tiktok-block/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630221637/https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/29/tech/fcc-google-apple-tiktok-block/index.html |archive-date=30 June 2022 |access-date=1 July 2022 |work=CNN}}</ref> In November 2022, Christopher A. Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said the Chinese government could use TikTok for influence operations on its users.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=15 November 2022 |title=U.S. FBI director says TikTok poses national security concerns |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-fbi-director-says-tiktok-poses-national-security-concerns-2022-11-15/ |access-date=15 November 2022 |work=Reuters |language=en |quote=Risks include "the possibility that the Chinese government could use [TikTok] to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations," Wray told U.S. lawmakers. |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115211242/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-fbi-director-says-tiktok-poses-national-security-concerns-2022-11-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2023, a former ByteDance employee filed a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging that Hong Kong users' device information and communications, particularly those of demonstrators in the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, were accessed by Chinese Communist Party members in 2018.<ref name="Associated Press-2023">{{Cite web |date=7 June 2023 |title=Former ByteDance executive says Chinese Communist Party tracked Hong Kong protesters via data |url=https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-bytedance-user-data-d257d98125f69ac80f983e6067a84911 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125052004/https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-bytedance-user-data-d257d98125f69ac80f983e6067a84911 |archive-date=25 November 2023 |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=Associated Press |language=en |quote=For the Hong Kong users, Yu said in the filing that he saw the logs that showed the committee accessed the user data of protesters, civil rights activists and their supporters, including users who had been identified from prior protests. The filing also said the committee monitored Hong Kong users who uploaded protest-related content on TikTok.}}</ref><ref name="Wells-2023">{{Cite news |last=Wells |first=Georgia |date=5 June 2023 |title=Former ByteDance Executive Claims Chinese Communist Party Accessed TikTok's Hong Kong User Data |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-bytedance-executive-claims-chinese-communist-party-accessed-tiktoks-hong-kong-user-data-e9d5554f |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810214943/https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-bytedance-executive-claims-chinese-communist-party-accessed-tiktoks-hong-kong-user-data-e9d5554f |archive-date=10 August 2023 |access-date=30 June 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Fuller |first1=Thomas |last2=Maheshwari |first2=Sapna |date=12 May 2023 |title=Ex-ByteDance Executive Accuses Company of 'Lawlessness' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/12/technology/tiktok-bytedance-lawsuit-china.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702013859/http://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/12/technology/tiktok-bytedance-lawsuit-china.html |archive-date=2 July 2023 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ByteDance denied the claims, saying the employee worked on a defunct project and that TikTok was pulled out of Hong Kong in 2020.<ref name="Wells-2023" /> The whistleblower claimed in a sworn court statement that his father in mainland China had been detained by the authorities in retaliation for his speaking to the media about alleged censorship by TikTok.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker-White |first=Emily |date=September 17, 2024 |title='Keep Your Mouth Shut': TikTok Whistleblower Claims Chinese Police Kidnapped And Threatened His Father |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2024/09/17/tiktok-whistleblower-father-kidnapped/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917230925/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2024/09/17/tiktok-whistleblower-father-kidnapped/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2023, TikTok confirmed that some financial information, such as tax forms and [[Social:Social Security number|Social Security number]]s, of American content creators are stored in China. This applies to those signing contracts with and receiving payment transactions from ByteDance. Whether similar information will remain exempt from being treated as "protected user data" is being negotiated with Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Alexandra S. |title=TikTok Confirms Some U.S. User Data Is Stored In China |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2023/06/21/tiktok-confirms-data-china-bytedance-security-cfius/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628132535/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2023/06/21/tiktok-confirms-data-china-bytedance-security-cfius/ |archive-date=28 June 2023 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> A 2024 unclassified threat assessment by the Director of National Intelligence said "TikTok accounts run by a [Chinese] propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates" during the 2022 United States elections.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Knutson |first=Jacob |date=11 March 2024 |title=Top intel agency says China used TikTok to influence U.S. elections |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/03/11/tiktok-china-us-elections-influence |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=Axios |archive-date=22 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322042858/https://www.axios.com/2024/03/11/tiktok-china-us-elections-influence |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2024, it was discovered that former employee Zen Goziker—allegedly the source of various leaks about TikTok to ''The Washington Post'', ''Forbes'', and ''BuzzFeed News''—had made improbable claims. He has also spoken with law enforcement agencies and lawmakers hostile to TikTok. He has accused not only his former employer but also the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of Homeland Security for getting him fired.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Matsakis |first=Louise |title=A TikTok Whistleblower Got DC's Attention. Do His Claims Add Up? |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-whistleblower-got-dcs-attention-do-his-claims-add-up/ |access-date=26 April 2024 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=26 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426185832/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-whistleblower-got-dcs-attention-do-his-claims-add-up/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Project Texas ===
In response to security concerns of the United States government, TikTok has been working to silo privileged user data within the United States under oversight from the US government or a third party such as Oracle.<ref name="Fung" /> Named Project Texas, the initiative focuses on unauthorized access, state influence, and software security. A new subsidiary, TikTok US Data Security Inc. (USDS), was created to manage user data, software code, back-end systems, and content moderation. It would report to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), not ByteDance or TikTok, even for hiring practices. Oracle would review and spot check the data flows through USDS. It would also digitally sign software code, approve updates, and oversee content moderation and recommendation. Physical locations would be established so that Oracle and the US government could conduct their own reviews.<ref name="lawfare">{{Cite web |last1=Perault |first1=Matt |last2=Sacks |first2=Samm |date=26 January 2023 |title=Project Texas: The Details of TikTok's Plan to Remain Operational in the United States |url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/project-texas-the-details-of-tiktok-s-plan-to-remain-operational-in-the-united-states |website=Lawfare |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906162242/https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/project-texas-the-details-of-tiktok-s-plan-to-remain-operational-in-the-united-states |url-status=live }}</ref> The company has been engaged in confidential negotiations over the project with CFIUS since 2021 and submitted its proposal but received little response from the panel afterward.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kang |first1=Cecilia |last2=Maheshwari |first2=Sapna |last3=McCabe |first3=David |date=26 January 2023 |title=TikTok's New Defense in Washington: Going on the Offense |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/26/technology/tiktok-bytedance-data-security.html |access-date=17 July 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708202348/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/26/technology/tiktok-bytedance-data-security.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2023, a former employee of the company said Project Texas did not go far enough and that a complete "re-engineering" would be needed. TikTok responded by saying that Project Texas already is a re-engineering of the app and that the former employee left in 2022 before the project specifications were finalized.<ref name="gizmodo.com">{{cite web |last1=DeGeurin |first1=Mack |date=11 March 2023 |title=TikTok Whistleblower Tells Congress Data Protections Don't Stop Chinese Access |url=https://gizmodo.com/tiktok-whistleblower-congress-china-user-data-ban-1850213984 |access-date=11 March 2023 |website=Gizmodo |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401161211/https://gizmodo.com/tiktok-whistleblower-congress-china-user-data-ban-1850213984 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other former employees had their own takes on the situation. A data scientist said US user data were emailed to ByteDance workers in China to identify viewer interests. A manager recounted that there was a lot more separation on the technical side between TikTok and ByteDance by the time he left. Another said TikTok had to employ better data collection practices than [[Company:Meta Platforms|Meta]] or [[Company:Google|Google]] due to the scrutiny it received.<ref name="Sternlicht-2024" />

=== USDS Joint Venture, censorship, backlash and moves to UpScrolled ===
On 22 January 2026, US President Donald Trump and TikTok announced that the company had joined a joint venture, which will run as an independent entity while operating under defined safeguards that protect national security for US users. Adam Presser who was previously TikTok's head of operations and trust and safety will serve as CEO, while TikTok's current CEO Shou Chew will be a director of the new venture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vanian |first=Jonathan |date=2026-01-23 |title=TikTok forms U.S. joint venture, names Adam Presser CEO |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/22/tiktok-forms-us-joint-venture-names-a-ceo.html |access-date=2026-01-23 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

The new investors are loyal to Trump.<ref name="The Independent">{{cite news |last= Cuthbertson |first= Anthony |date= 27 January 2026 |title= TikTok rivals Skylight and UpScrolled see surge in downloads amid Trump backlash |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/tiktok-alternative-upscrolled-skylight-trump-censorship-b2908727.html |work= The Independent |access-date= 28 January 2026}}</ref> TikTok has subsequently been accused of censoring content critical of Trump and his administration.<ref name="The Independent"/> The censorship includes censoring words such as "Epstein" and videos that criticize Trump or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).<ref name="The Independent"/> The resulting backlash saw TikTok competitor [[Software:UpScrolled|UpScrolled]] receive record downloads and rise to second in the Apple's App Store rankings.<ref name="The Independent"/><ref>{{cite news |last= Yeo |first= Amanda |date= January 28, 2026 |title= TikTok users flock to UpScrolled in response to new U.S. owners |url= https://mashable.com/article/tiktok-alternative-upscrolled-palestine-censorship |work= Mashable |access-date= January 28, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Bradley |first= Sydney |date= January 28, 2026 |title= What to know about UpScrolled, the app that's surging during TikTok's chaos |url= https://www.aol.com/articles/know-upscrolled-app-thats-surging-202124226.html |work= AOL |publisher= Business Insider |access-date= January 28, 2026}}</ref>

=== Project Clover ===
TikTok has faced criticism for transferring European user data to servers in the United States. It is holding discussions with UK's [[Organization:National Cyber Security Centre (United Kingdom)|National Cyber Security Centre]] about a "Project Clover" for storing European information locally. The company plans to build two data centers in Ireland and one more in Norway. A third party will oversee the cybersecurity policies, data flows, and personnel access independently of TikTok.<ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok Rolls Out 'Project Clover' to Assure Europeans on Data |last=Woo |first=Stu |date=6 March 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/tiktok-takes-charm-offensive-to-u-k-in-effort-to-avoid-more-government-bans-77917d68 |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727110805/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/tiktok-takes-charm-offensive-to-u-k-in-effort-to-avoid-more-government-bans-77917d68 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok launches Project Clover to allay China security fears |last=Vallance |first=Christ |date=8 March 2023 |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-64887704 |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727105501/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-64887704 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Goujard2023>{{cite news |title=What the hell is wrong with TikTok? |last=Goujard |first=Clothilde |date=22 March 2023 |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/tiktok-china-west-europe-ban-app-espionage-surveillance/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814073919/https://www.politico.eu/article/tiktok-china-west-europe-ban-app-espionage-surveillance/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Journalist spying scandal ===
In October 2022, ''Forbes'' reported that a team at ByteDance planned to surveil certain US citizens for undisclosed reasons. TikTok said that the tracking method suggested by the report would not be feasible because precise GPS information is not collected by the platform.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63339878 |title=TikTok denies it could be used to track US citizens |work=BBC News |date=21 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021051053/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63339878 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/10/20/tiktok-bytedance-surveillance-american-user-data/?sh=60c8c3466c2d |title=TikTok Parent ByteDance Planned To Use TikTok To Monitor The Physical Location Of Specific American Citizens |work=Forbes |date=21 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021051053/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/10/20/tiktok-bytedance-surveillance-american-user-data/?sh=60c8c3466c2d |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2022, ByteDance confirmed after internal investigation that the data of two journalists and their close contacts had been accessed by its employees from China and the United States. It was intended to uncover sources of leaks who might have met with the journalists from ''Forbes'' and the ''Financial Times''. The data included IP addresses, which can be used to approximate a user's location. ByteDance stated that it fired four employees in response.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Clare |date=22 December 2022 |title=TikTok confirms that journalists' data was accessed by employees of its parent company |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/22/tech/tiktok-bytedance-journalist-data/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411111115/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/22/tech/tiktok-bytedance-journalist-data/index.html |archive-date=11 April 2023 |access-date=23 December 2022 |website=CNN |publisher= |language=en}}</ref>

The incident is being investigated by the US Department of Justice and FBI.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brodkin |first1=Jon |title=US investigates TikTok owner ByteDance's surveillance of journalists |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/03/us-investigates-tiktok-owner-bytedances-surveillance-of-journalists/ |date=17 March 2023 |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623010332/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/03/us-investigates-tiktok-owner-bytedances-surveillance-of-journalists/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Baker-White |first=Emily |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/12/22/tiktok-tracks-forbes-journalists-bytedance/ |title=TikTok Spied On Forbes Journalists |work=Forbes |date=22 December 2022 |access-date=23 December 2022 |archive-date=23 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223144032/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/12/22/tiktok-tracks-forbes-journalists-bytedance/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Fung">{{cite news |last=Fung |first=Brian |date=21 March 2023 |title=Lawmakers say TikTok is a national security threat, but evidence remains unclear |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/21/tech/tiktok-national-security-concerns/index.html |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=25 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925004926/https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/21/tech/tiktok-national-security-concerns/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia reportedly subpoenaed information from ByteDance regarding its surveillance of journalists on TikTok.<ref name="Baker-White-2023">{{Cite web |last=Baker-White |first=Emily |date=16 March 2023 |title=The FBI And DOJ Are Investigating ByteDance's Use Of TikTok To Spy On Journalists |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2023/03/16/fbi-doj-investigating-bytedance-tiktok-surveillance-journalists/?sh=f2ac81fa6fc2 |website=Forbes |access-date=5 August 2023 |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401235957/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2023/03/16/fbi-doj-investigating-bytedance-tiktok-surveillance-journalists/?sh=f2ac81fa6fc2 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2023, the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party inquired the FBI about the status of the case.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baker-White |first=Emily |date=7 December 2023 |title=Congress Wants Answers About The FBI And DOJ's TikTok Investigation |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2023/12/07/congress-wants-answers-about-fbi-doj-tiktok-investigation/?sh=3e8520d378df |access-date=8 December 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208171820/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2023/12/07/congress-wants-answers-about-fbi-doj-tiktok-investigation/?sh=3e8520d378df |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Software code ===
In January 2020, [[Company:Check Point|Check Point Research]] discovered a [[Vulnerability (computing)|vulnerability]] through which a [[Black hat (computer security)|hacker]] could [[Spoofing attack|spoof]] TikTok's official [[SMS]] messages and replace them with malicious links to gain access to user accounts. It was later [[Patch (computing)|patch]]ed by TikTok.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 January 2020 |title=TikTok flaws could have allowed hackers access to user accounts through an SMS |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tech/tiktok-flaws-could-have-allowed-hackers-access-to-user-accounts-through-an-sms/story-2bRiI7rtvIC9GF38h9SHhN.html |url-status=live |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 |access-date=8 January 2020 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> In August 2020, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that TikTok tracked Android user data, including [[MAC address]]es and IMEIs, 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 |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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812015305/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-tracked-user-data-using-tactic-banned-by-google-11597176738 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |issn=0099-9660}}</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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112195835/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/11/21364017/tiktok-mac-address-collected-identifier-android-violation |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=11 September 2020 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>

In August 2022, software engineer and security researcher Felix Krause found that in-app browsers from TikTok and other platforms contained [[Computer program|codes]] for [[Keylogger|keylogger]] functionality but did not have the means to further investigate whether any data was tracked or recorded. TikTok said that the code is disabled.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKinnon |first=Grace |date=22 August 2022 |title=TikTok's in-app browser can monitor your keystrokes, including passwords and credit cards, researcher says |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-22/tiktok-in-app-browser-can-monitor-keystrokes-researcher-finds/101356198 |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126222016/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-22/tiktok-in-app-browser-can-monitor-keystrokes-researcher-finds/101356198 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Regulatory actions ===
==== US Federal Trade Commission ====
On 27 February 2019, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached a [[Social:Consent decree|consent decree]] with ByteDance, fining it US$5.7&nbsp;million for collecting information from minors under the age of 13 in violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).<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 |url-status=live |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 |access-date=27 February 2019 |work=The Verge}}</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 with the FTC, 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 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-privacy-children-ftc-idUSKBN22Q0E2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514165854/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-privacy-children-ftc-idUSKBN22Q0E2 |archive-date=14 May 2020 |access-date=14 May 2020 |work=Reuters}}</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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bartz |first=Diane |date=8 July 2020 |title=Exclusive: U.S. probing allegations TikTok violated children's privacy – sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-privacy-children-exclusive-idUSKBN248373 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708233112/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-privacy-children-exclusive-idUSKBN248373 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |access-date=8 July 2020 |work=Reuters}}</ref> In March 2022, following a class action lawsuit for violations of COPPA, TikTok settled for US$1.1 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parents Sue TikTok for COPPA Violations, Settle for $1.1M |url=https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/parents-sue-tiktok-for-coppa-violations-67961/ |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=JD Supra |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 March 2022 |title=District Court Settles TikTok Privacy Settlement for $1.1 Million |url=https://www.natlawreview.com/article/federal-court-approves-11-million-tiktok-settlement-over-children-s-privacy-claims |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=The National Law Review |language=en}}</ref> In March 2024, it was reported that the FTC continues to investigate TikTok.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sisco |first=Josh |date=26 March 2024 |title=TikTok's troubles just got worse: The FTC could sue them, too |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/26/biden-administration-tiktok-data-practices-00149139 |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=Politico |quote=The FTC is weighing whether to bring some combination of a new case against TikTok under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, as well as claims that the company violated the earlier settlement.}}</ref> In August 2024, the FTC and US Department of Justice filed a joint lawsuit alleging violations of the 2019 consent decree.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=Justice Department sues TikTok, accusing the company of illegally collecting children's data |url=https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-lawsuit-doj-ftc-children-eb0110e6f2281d8b9a7d2cad0af2e525 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

==== Data Protection Commission (Europe) ====
In September 2021, the Ireland Data Protection Commission (DPC) launched investigations into TikTok concerning the protection of minors' data and transfers of personal data to China.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bodoni |first=Stephanie |date=14 September 2021 |title=TikTok Faces EU Data Probes Into Children's Safety, China Link |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-14/tiktok-faces-eu-data-probes-into-children-s-safety-china-link |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914201053/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-14/tiktok-faces-eu-data-probes-into-children-s-safety-china-link |archive-date=14 September 2021 |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Bloomberg News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 September 2021 |title=TikTok's lead EU regulator opens two data privacy probes |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/ireland-regulator-opens-data-privacy-probes-into-tiktok-2021-09-14/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914192054/https://www.reuters.com/technology/ireland-regulator-opens-data-privacy-probes-into-tiktok-2021-09-14/ |archive-date=14 September 2021 |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Reuters}}</ref> The Irish DPC became the lead agency to handle such matters after TikTok established an office in the country, taking over investigations started by Dutch and Italian authorities.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance |date=1 August 2022 |title=Italian Data Protection Authority Warns TikTok Over Its Privacy Policy Revision |url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=d90d140a-dca7-479a-bf04-87db479a087e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717090120/https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=d90d140a-dca7-479a-bf04-87db479a087e |archive-date=17 July 2023 |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=Lexology |publisher=Law Business Research}}</ref><ref name="DutchEDPB" /> In September 2023, the DPC fined TikTok €345 million for violations of the [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR) vis-à-vis the mishandling of children data.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |date=15 September 2023 |title=TikTok fined $379M in EU for failing to keep kids' data safe |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/15/tiktok-gdpr-childrens-data-decision/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916002344/https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/15/tiktok-gdpr-childrens-data-decision/ |archive-date=16 September 2023 |access-date=15 September 2023 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=15 September 2023 |title=TikTok Socked With $367 Million Fine Over Alleged Mishandling of Children's Data |url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/global/tiktok-fine-childrens-data-ireland-dpc-1235724629/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917171039/https://variety.com/2023/digital/global/tiktok-fine-childrens-data-ireland-dpc-1235724629/ |archive-date=17 September 2023 |access-date=16 September 2023 |website=Variety}}</ref> In April 2025, the Ireland DPC fined TikTok over €500 million for illegally sending European user data to China.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Titcomb |first=James |date=2025-04-03 |title=Ireland to hit TikTok with €500m fine for sending users' data to China |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/04/03/ireland-target-tiktok-500m-fine-sending-user-data-china/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-05-02 |title=TikTok fined 530 million euros in EU over data transfer to China |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2025/05/02/eu-fines-tiktok-530-million-euros-over-data-transfer-to-china/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Hong Kong Free Press |language=en-GB |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> In July 2025, the DPC opened a new investigation into TikTok for unauthorized transfers of user data to China.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Kelvin |date=2025-07-10 |title=TikTok faces fresh European privacy investigation over China data transfers |url=https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-european-union-data-privacy-gdpr-5f1dcb8187a1c90c1ea10c287beb06f2 |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

==== UK Information Commissioner's Office ====
In February 2019, the United Kingdom's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) 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 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 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/02/tiktok-under-investigation-over-child-data-use |url-status=live |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 |access-date=13 July 2020 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In April 2023, the ICO imposed a £12.7 million fine on TikTok for misusing children's data.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 April 2023 |title=TikTok fined £12.7m for misusing children's data |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65175902 |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2023 |title=ICO fines TikTok £12.7 million for misusing children's data |url=https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/media-centre/news-and-blogs/2023/04/ico-fines-tiktok-127-million-for-misusing-children-s-data/ |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Information Commissioner's Office |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321063343/https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/media-centre/news-and-blogs/2023/04/ico-fines-tiktok-127-million-for-misusing-children-s-data/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2025, the ICO opened another investigation into TikTok concerning its use of children's personal information to recommend content to them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-03 |title=UK watchdog probes TikTok over children's data |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-watchdog-probes-tiktok-over-childrens-data/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Pending investigations ===
==== Texas ====
In February 2022, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated an investigation into TikTok for alleged violations of children's privacy and facilitation of [[Social:Human trafficking|human trafficking]].<ref>{{cite web |date=23 February 2022 |title=Texas Attorney General Investigates TikTok for Potential Child Privacy Violations and Facilitation of Human Trafficking |url=https://www.natlawreview.com/article/texas-attorney-general-investigates-tiktok-potential-child-privacy-violations-and |access-date=4 March 2022 |website=The National Law Review |language=en |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304041525/https://www.natlawreview.com/article/texas-attorney-general-investigates-tiktok-potential-child-privacy-violations-and |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AG Paxton Investigates TikTok for Potential Facilitation of Human Trafficking & Child Privacy Violations |url=https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-investigates-tiktok-potential-facilitation-human-trafficking-child-privacy-violations |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=Texas Attorney General |language=en |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519203411/https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-investigates-tiktok-potential-facilitation-human-trafficking-child-privacy-violations |url-status=live }}</ref> Paxton claimed that the Texas Department of Public Safety gathered several pieces of content showing the attempted recruitment of teenagers to smuggle people or goods across the Mexico–United States border. He claimed the evidence may prove the company's involvement in "human smuggling, sex trafficking and drug trafficking". The company claimed that no illegal activity of any kind is supported on the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Altus |first=Kristen |date=18 February 2022 |title=Texas AG Paxton investigating Chinese app TikTok over human and drug smuggling posts |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/texas-investigating-tiktok-over-human-and-drug-smuggling-posts |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=FOXBusiness |language=en-US |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627125556/https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/texas-investigating-tiktok-over-human-and-drug-smuggling-posts |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Turkey ====
In 2022, Turkey's Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) initiated a probe into TikTok in relation to millions of dollars in fund transfers involving TikTok accounts that were suspected of [[Finance:Money laundering|money laundering]] or terrorism financing.<ref name="Michael-2024">{{Cite news |last=Michael |first=Roddan |date=10 April 2024 |title=How ByteDance Bungled a Money-Laundering Probe Into TikTok Payments |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/how-bytedance-bungled-a-money-laundering-probe-into-tiktok-payments |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 April 2024 |work=The Information}}</ref>

==== Privacy Commissioner of Canada ====
In February 2023, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, along with its counterparts in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec, launched an investigation into TikTok's data collection practices.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shakil |first=Ismail |date=23 February 2023 |title=Canadian privacy regulators launch joint investigation into TikTok |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/canadian-privacy-regulators-launch-joint-investigation-into-tiktok-2023-02-23/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223211721/https://www.reuters.com/technology/canadian-privacy-regulators-launch-joint-investigation-into-tiktok-2023-02-23/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2025, a Canadian investigation found that TikTok had collected sensitive personal data from children in violation of federal privacy laws.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Patrick |last2=Chen |first2=Maria |date=23 September 2025 |title=TikTok collected sensitive data on Canadian children, investigation finds |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/tiktok-improve-steps-keep-children-off-app-canadian-officials-say-2025-09-23/ |access-date=23 September 2025}}</ref>

==== European Commission ====
In February 2024, the European Commission launched an investigation into TikTok for potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), involving content aiming at children and advertising transparency.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 February 2024 |title=EU opens formal investigation into TikTok over possible online content breaches |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-opens-formal-proceedings-against-tiktok-under-digital-services-act-2024-02-19/ |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref> In April 2024, the European Commission opened a second investigation into TikTok to assess whether it broke EU law.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Wain |first1=Philippa |last2=Rahman-Jones |first2=Imran |date=22 April 2024 |title=EU may suspend money-for-views TikTok feature |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9ez1zzmmjzo |access-date=22 April 2024 |work=BBC News}}</ref> In October 2024, the European Commission requested additional information from TikTok relating to its algorithm and risks around elections, mental health, and protection of minors.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2, 2024 |title=EU requests info from YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok on content algorithms |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-requests-information-youtube-snapchat-tiktok-about-recommendations-2024-10-02/ |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref> In December 2024, the European Commission announced an investigation into TikTok over accusations of Russian interference in the 2024 Romanian presidential election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gkritsi |first=Eliza |date=2024-12-17 |title=EU opens investigation into TikTok and the Romanian election |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-opens-investigation-into-tiktok-over-romanian-election/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Politico Europe |language=en-GB}}</ref> In May 2025, the European Commission found TikTok had violated digital advertising rules under the DSA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gkritsi |first=Eliza |date=2025-05-15 |title=TikTok breached digital advertising rules, European Commission says |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-says-tiktok-breached-dsa-ad-rules/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Politico Europe |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Australian Information Commissioner inquiry ====
In December 2023, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner announced an inquiry into TikTok's data harvesting of Australian citizens amid allegations that it contravened Australian privacy law.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Remeikis |first=Amy |date=28 December 2023 |title=TikTok's data collection being scrutinised by Australia's privacy watchdog |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/28/tiktok-data-collection-inquiry-australia-privacy-watchdog-marketing-pixels |access-date=29 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

== Controversies ==

=== Cyberbullying ===
 
''Vox'' noted in 2018 that bullies and trolls were relatively rare on TikTok compared to other platforms.<ref name="theweek">{{cite web |date=17 December 2018 |title=What is TikTok and is it safe? |url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/98559/what-is-tiktok-and-is-it-safe |url-status=live |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 |access-date=1 March 2019 |website=The Week UK}}</ref> Nonetheless, several users have reported cyberbullying via features such as Duet or React, which is used to interact with followers.<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|date=November 2018 |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> A trend making fun of [[Medicine:Autism|autism]] eventually created a huge backlash, even on the platform itself, and the company ended up removing the hashtag altogether.<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 |archive-date=10 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210005101/https://www.dailydot.com/irl/tiktok-autism-challenge/ |url-status=live }}</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}}</ref> Parents filming how their children reacted to people with disability, often in terror, led to criticisms of [[Social:Ableism|ableism]]. In December 2019, following a report by German digital rights group [[Netzpolitik.org|netzpolitik.org]], TikTok admitted that it had suppressed videos by disabled users as well as LGBTQ+ users in a purported temporary 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"/> ''TikTok: Murder Gone Viral'', a documentary series produced by ITV, highlights how cyberbullying and TikTok's role as a social media platform has led to the murder of certain individuals.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Davies | first1=Hannah J. | title=TikTok: Murder Gone Viral review – this icky show dramatically cheapens these victims' stories | work=The Guardian | date=21 October 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/oct/21/tiktok-gone-viral-review-itv1-itvx }}</ref>

=== Addiction and mental health ===
 There are concerns that some users may find it hard to stop using TikTok.<ref name="scmp">{{cite web |date=19 May 2018 |title=Lip syncing, finger dancing – Hong Kong kids go crazy for Tik Tok |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/community/article/2146904/i-risked-my-life-please-mobile-app-tik-tok-has-hong-kong |url-status=live |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 |access-date=1 March 2019 |website=South China Morning Post}}</ref> Internal TikTok research has documented the addiction potential of the app.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Allyn |first1=Bobby |last2=Goodman |first2=Sylvia |last3=Kerr |first3=Dara |date=October 11, 2024 |title=TikTok executives know about app's effect on teens, lawsuit documents allege |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/10/11/g-s1-27676/tiktok-redacted-documents-in-teen-safety-lawsuit-revealed |access-date=October 11, 2024 |work=NPR}}</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 popular influencers to encourage viewers to stop using the app and take a break.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stokel-Walker |first=Chris |date=20 February 2020 |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 |url-status=live |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 |access-date=27 May 2020 |website=Input}}</ref>

Many were also concerned with the app affecting users' [[Medicine:Attention span|attention span]]s due to the short-form nature of the content. 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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612181540/https://international.thenewslens.com/article/134846 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |access-date=12 June 2020 |website=The News Lens International Edition}}</ref> TikTok executives and representatives have noted and made aware to advertisers on the platform that users have poor attention spans. The company's survey reported that nearly 50% of social media users find it stressful to watch a video longer than a minute and a third of users watch videos at double speed. Their short attention spans posed a challenge for TikTok to pivot towards longer content formats.<ref name="wiredstats" /> TikTok has also received criticism for enabling children to purchase coins which they can send to other users.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 September 2019 |title=Girl, 11, blows mum's £3500 savings lip syncing with influencer on TikTok |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/girl-11-blows-mums-3500-19122959 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421161137/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/girl-11-blows-mums-3500-19122959 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |access-date=21 April 2021 |website=Daily Mirror}}</ref>

Daily hours of entertainment screen media (Social Medias) may displace healthy behaviors such as socializing face to face, chores, hobbies, homework, family meals time, exercise, and sufficient sleep. Insomnia is considered a strong mediator between screen media time and mental health symptoms which implies that engaging in screen time pushes out adequate sleep and leads to decreased mental health.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Weigle |first1=Paul E. |last2=Shafi |first2=Reem M. A. |date=2024-01-01 |title=Social Media and Youth Mental Health |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11920-023-01478-w |journal=Current Psychiatry Reports |language=en |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=1–8 |doi=10.1007/s11920-023-01478-w |pmid=38103128 |issn=1535-1645|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In February 2022, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that "Mental-health professionals around the country are growing increasingly concerned about the effects on teen girls of posting sexualized TikTok videos."<ref>{{cite web |last=Jargon |first=Julie |date=5 February 2022 |title=Teen Girls' Sexy TikTok Videos Take a Mental-Health Toll |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/teen-girls-sexy-tiktok-videos-take-a-mental-health-toll-11644016839 |access-date=6 February 2022 |website=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205234949/https://www.wsj.com/articles/teen-girls-sexy-tiktok-videos-take-a-mental-health-toll-11644016839 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2022, a coalition of US state attorneys general launched an investigation into TikTok's effect on children's mental health.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKinnon |first=John D. |date=2 March 2022 |title=TikTok Faces Scrutiny in State Attorneys General Probe of Online Harms to Children |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-faces-scrutiny-in-state-attorneys-general-probe-of-online-harms-to-children-11646251698 |access-date=4 March 2022 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303230706/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-faces-scrutiny-in-state-attorneys-general-probe-of-online-harms-to-children-11646251698 |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2022, TikTok introduced the ability to set a maximum uninterrupted screen time allowance, after which the app blocks off the ability to navigate the feed. The block only lifts after the app is exited and left unused for a set period of time. Additionally, the app features a dashboard with statistics on how often the app is opened, how much time is spent browsing it and when the browsing occurs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hern |first1=Alex |date=9 June 2022 |title=TikTok addicts to benefit from in-app screen-time controls |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jun/09/tiktok-addicts-to-benefit-from-in-app-screen-time-controls |access-date=10 June 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609232627/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jun/09/tiktok-addicts-to-benefit-from-in-app-screen-time-controls |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since 2021, it has been reported that accounts engaging with contents related to suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders were shown more similar videos. Some users were able to circumvent TikTok filters by writing in code or using unconventional spelling. The company has faced multiple lawsuits pertaining to wrongful deaths. TikTok said it is working to break up these "rabbit holes" of similar recommendations. US searches for eating disorder receive a prompt that offers mental health resources.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carville |first=Olivia |date=20 April 2023 |title=TikTok's Algorithm Keeps Pushing Suicide to Vulnerable Kids |language=en |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-04-20/tiktok-effects-on-mental-health-in-focus-after-teen-suicide |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424230841/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-04-20/tiktok-effects-on-mental-health-in-focus-after-teen-suicide |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Klepper |first1=David |title=TikTok promotes posts about eating disorders and suicide, report shows |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9350094/tiktok-eating-disorders-suicide-report/ |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=Global News |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616143628/https://globalnews.ca/news/9350094/tiktok-eating-disorders-suicide-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Roth |first1=Emma |date=18 December 2021 |title=WSJ's deep dive into eating disorder rabbit holes on TikTok explains a sudden policy change |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/18/22843606/tiktok-wsj-algorithm-change-eating-disorder |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=The Verge |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616143628/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/18/22843606/tiktok-wsj-algorithm-change-eating-disorder |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, the platform revealed that it will be introducing a feature that will prevent teenagers from receiving notifications past their bedtime. The company will no longer send push notifications after 9 pm to users aged between 13 and 15. For 16 to 17 year olds, notifications will not be sent after 10 pm.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 August 2021 |title=TikTok acts on teen safety with 'bedtime' block on app alerts |url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/aug/12/tiktok-acts-on-teen-safety-with-bedtime-block-on-app-alerts |access-date=16 August 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=15 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815204421/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/aug/12/tiktok-acts-on-teen-safety-with-bedtime-block-on-app-alerts |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2023, TikTok announced default screen time limits for users under the age of 18.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Joe |date=1 March 2023 |title=TikTok sets a new default screen-time limit for teen users |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/03/01/1160317717/tiktok-teens-screen-time-limit-mental-health |access-date=19 March 2024 |work=NPR}}</ref> ''The Wall Street Journal'' has reported that doctors experienced a surge in reported cases of tics, tied to an increasing number of TikTok videos from content creators with [[Medicine:Tourette syndrome|Tourette syndrome]]. Doctors suggested that the cause may be a social one as users who consumed content showcasing various tics would sometimes develop tics of their own,<ref>{{cite news |last=Jargon |first=Julie |date=19 October 2021 |title=Teen Girls Are Developing Tics. Doctors Say TikTok Could Be a Factor. |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/teen-girls-are-developing-tics-doctors-say-tiktok-could-be-a-factor-11634389201 |access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=14 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114194412/https://www.wsj.com/articles/teen-girls-are-developing-tics-doctors-say-tiktok-could-be-a-factor-11634389201 |url-status=live }}</ref> akin to [[Medicine:Mass psychogenic illness|mass psychogenic illness]].<ref name="Olvera Stebbins Goetz Kompoliti 2021 pp. 1200–1205">{{cite journal |last1=Olvera |first1=Caroline |last2=Stebbins |first2=Glenn T. |last3=Goetz |first3=Christopher G. |last4=Kompoliti |first4=Katie |date=9 August 2021 |title=<scp>TikTok</scp> Tics: A Pandemic Within a Pandemic |journal=Movement Disorders Clinical Practice |publisher=Wiley |volume=8 |issue=8 |pages=1200–1205 |doi=10.1002/mdc3.13316 |issn=2330-1619 |pmc=8564823 |pmid=34765687}}</ref><ref name="Müller-Vahl Pisarenko Jakubovski Fremer 2021 pp. 476–480">{{cite journal |last1=Müller-Vahl |first1=Kirsten R |last2=Pisarenko |first2=Anna |last3=Jakubovski |first3=Ewgeni |last4=Fremer |first4=Carolin |date=23 August 2021 |title=Stop that! It's not Tourette's but a new type of mass sociogenic illness |journal=Brain |publisher=Oxford University Press (OUP) |volume=145 |issue=2 |pages=476–480 |doi=10.1093/brain/awab316 |issn=0006-8950 |pmc=9014744 |pmid=34424292}}</ref>

In May 2024, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a lawsuit against TikTok for allegedly harming minors' mental health through an algorithm designed to be cultivate compulsive behavior.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Avila |first=Joseph De |date=22 May 2024 |title=Nebraska Sues TikTok for Allegedly Harming Minors |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/nebraska-sues-tiktok-for-allegedly-harming-minors-5826c533 |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2024, US senators Richard Blumenthal and [[Biography:Marsha Blackburn|Marsha Blackburn]] requested that TikTok turn over "all documents and information" related to child safety disclosures that were uncovered by NPR and Kentucky Public Radio.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allyn |first=Bobby |date=October 11, 2024 |title=Senators call on TikTok to produce documents in response to NPR report |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/10/11/g-s1-27981/senators-call-on-tiktok-for-documents |access-date=October 13, 2024 |work=NPR}}</ref>

{{As of|2025|March}}, strong scientific understanding of TikTok's effects on user's mental health "remains elusive". A 2025 [[Meta-analysis|meta-analysis]] found that use of TikTok was [[Correlation|correlated]] with symptoms of [[Medicine:Anxiety|anxiety]] and [[Medicine:Depression (mood)|depression]], with stronger links in females and users under 24 years old.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jain |first1=Lakshit |last2=Velez |first2=Luis |last3=Karlapati |first3=Surya |last4=Forand |first4=Mary |last5=Kannali |first5=Rajasekhar |last6=Yousaf |first6=Rao Ahmed |last7=Ahmed |first7=Rizwan |last8=Sarfraz |first8=Zouina |last9=Sutter |first9=Pearl A. |last10=Tallo |first10=Christian Anthony |last11=Ahmed |first11=Saeed |date=2025-06-01 |title=Exploring Problematic TikTok Use and Mental Health Issues: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies |journal=Journal of Primary Care & Community Health |language=EN |volume=16 |article-number=21501319251327303 |doi=10.1177/21501319251327303 |issn=2150-1319 |pmc=11924099 |pmid=40105453}}</ref> In November 2025, French prosecutors opened a probe into TikTok, citing concerns that its algorithms could push vulnerable young people to suicide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 November 2025 |title=French court probes TikTok on algorithms' risks regarding suicide |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/french-court-probes-tiktok-algorithms-pushing-suicide-2025-11-04/ |access-date=7 November 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

The Ministry of Education (Taiwan) has warned against the harmful impact of TikTok and related app RedNote on [[Medicine:Body image|body image]] and ensuing self harm related to weight loss especially in teenagers. Civil society groups warn that these apps push users down "rabbit holes" and then surround them in an "information cocoon".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Everington |first1=Keoni |title=Taiwan education ministry says TikTok harms teens' body image |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6248883 |website=taiwannews.com.tw |date=20 November 2025 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=22 November 2025}}</ref>

=== 2022 medication shortage ===
In November 2022, Australia's medical regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reported that there was a global shortage of the diabetes medication Ozempic. According to the TGA, the rise in demand was caused by an increase in off-label prescription of the drug for weight loss purposes.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Ozempic (semaglutide) shortage 2022 and 2023 |url=https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/shortages/information-about-specific-shortages/about-ozempic-semaglutide-shortage-2022-and-2023#why-the-tga-cant-stop-offlabel-prescribing |publisher=Therapeutic Goods Administration |access-date=1 January 2023 |date=22 November 2022}}</ref> In December 2022, with the United States experiencing a shortage as well, it was reported that the huge increase in demand for the medicine was caused by a weight loss trend on TikTok, where videos about the drug exceeded 360 million views.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Casullo |first1=Dana |last2=Martichoux |first2=Alix |title=TikTok trend leads to diabetes medication shortages |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/3791060-tiktok-trend-leads-to-diabetes-medication-shortages/ |website=The Hill |access-date=1 January 2023 |date=29 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Duboust |first1=Oceane |title=Ozempic: How a TikTok weight loss trend caused a global diabetes drug shortage – and health concerns |url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/12/30/ozempic-how-a-tiktok-weight-loss-trend-caused-a-global-diabetes-drug-shortage-and-health-c |website=euronews |access-date=1 January 2023 |language=en |date=30 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bloomberg |first1=Emma Court |title=TikTok trend wipes out Ozempic supply, leaving people with diabetes dizzy, scared |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-12-23/tiktok-trend-sold-out-ozempic-diabetes-drug |website=Los Angeles Times |date=23 December 2022}}</ref> Wegovy, a drug that has been specifically approved for treating obesity, also became popular on the platform after [[Biography:Elon Musk|Elon Musk]] credited it for helping him lose weight.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daignault |first1=Michael |title=Elon Musk's weight loss, Ozempic, Wegovy and what to know about the new TikTok viral treatment |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/10/20/ozempic-weight-loss-wegovy-what-know-diabetes-injections-tiktok/10538361002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=1 January 2023 |date=20 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bartov |first1=Shira Li |title=Diabetics Face Vital Drug Shortage After Influencers Promote Weight Loss |url=https://www.newsweek.com/diabetics-face-vital-drug-shortage-after-influencers-promote-weight-loss-1712091 |website=Newsweek |access-date=1 January 2023 |language=en |date=1 June 2022}}</ref>

=== Workplace conditions ===

Several former employees of the company have claimed of poor workplace conditions, including the start of the workweek on Sunday to cooperate with [[UTC+08:00|Chinese time zones]] and excessive workload. Employees claimed they averaged 85 hours of meetings per week and would frequently [[Medicine:Sleep deprivation|stay up all night]] in order to complete tasks. Some employees claimed the workplace's schedule operated similarly to the 996 schedule. The company has a stated policy of working from 10 AM to 7 PM five days per week (63 hours per week), but employees noted that it was encouraged for employees to work after hours. One female worker complained that the company did not allow her adequate time to change her feminine hygiene product because of back-to-back meetings. Another employee noted that working at the company caused her to seek marriage therapy and lose an unhealthy amount of weight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2022 |title=TikTok staff speak out about toxic work culture and 'relentless productivity' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/tik-tok-staff-work-culture-toxic-b2075452.html |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> In response to the allegations, the company noted that they were committed to allowing employees "support and flexibility".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Employees Say Working at TikTok Takes a Toll |url=https://www.wsj.com/story/former-employees-say-working-at-tiktok-takes-a-toll-d21a4960 |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bienasz |first=Gabrielle |title=A TikTok worker reportedly said the social media giant's culture is so intense she bled through her pants rather than asking to briefly leave a meeting |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/wsj-tiktok-employees-face-enormous-stress-on-job-2022-5 |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

In September 2023, two former ByteDance employees filed a formal complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) asking the EEOC to investigate TikTok's practice of retaliation against workers who complain about discrimination.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2023 |title=Black creators built TikTok. But Black employees say they experienced 'toxicity and racism' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/tech/tiktok-black-employees-discrimination-legal-complaint/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315224225/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/tech/tiktok-black-employees-discrimination-legal-complaint/index.html |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=CNN}}</ref>

===Israeli–Palestinian conflict===
 
With reports that Palestinians resorted to TikTok for promoting their cause after platforms like Facebook and [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]] blocked their content,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entsar Abu Jahal |date=1 June 2021 |title=TikTok becomes vital weapon in Palestinians' digital war |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/06/tiktok-becomes-vital-weapon-palestinians-digital-war |website=Al-Monitor |language=en}}</ref> Israeli analyst Yoni Ben-Menachem called the app a "tool of dangerous influence" inciting violence against Israelis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MOHAMMED NAJIB |date=2 October 2022 |title=Palestinian activists turn to TikTok amid Israeli anger over 'propaganda videos' |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2173851/middle-east |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=M Nur Pakar |date=3 October 2022 |title=Israel Tuduh TikTok dari China Sebagai Media Sosial Menghasut dan Berbahaya |url=https://aceh.tribunnews.com/2022/10/03/israel-tuduh-tiktok-dari-china-sebagai-media-sosial-menghasut-dan-berbahaya |website=Tribun News |language=id-ID}}</ref> According to Ynet, the Palestinian militant group Lion's Den gained much of their popularity through TikTok.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kimon |first=Elisha Ben |date=26 October 2022 |title=The TikTok generation of Palestinian resistance |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1benyleo |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref> In February 2023, Otzma Yehudit politician Almog Cohen advocated blocking TikTok for all of East Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bachner |first=Michael |date=16 February 2023 |title=Coalition MK calls Palestinians 'Palestinazis,' urges TikTok ban in East Jerusalem |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-mk-calls-palestinians-palestinazis-urges-tiktok-ban-in-east-jerusalem/ |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}</ref> US lawmakers wanting to ban TikTok accused the platform of pushing pro-Hamas and pro-Palestine content.<ref name="Roscoe" /><ref name=Jennings />

According to ''The Times of Israel'', antisemitism at the company was "rampant" after the October 7 attacks, allowing anti-Jewish and anti-Israel content to increase on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horovitz |first=Michael |date=8 December 2023 |title=Report: Jewish TikTok staff reveal rampant antisemitism, Israel-hate in workplace |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-jewish-tiktok-staff-reveal-rampant-antisemitism-israel-hate-in-workplace/ |access-date=9 December 2023 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209112356/https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-jewish-tiktok-staff-reveal-rampant-antisemitism-israel-hate-in-workplace/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Prominent Jewish individuals such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Debra Messing, Amy Schumer, and TikTok creator Miriam Ezagui raised the issue with Adam Presser, TikTok's head of operations, and Seth Melnick, its global head of user operations, both also Jewish.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hajdenberg |first1=Jackie |title=Sacha Baron Cohen tells TikTok it's creating biggest antisemitic movement since Nazis |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/sacha-baron-cohen-tells-tiktok-its-creating-biggest-antisemitic-movement-since-nazis/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=17 November 2023}}</ref>

TikTok said that a significant proportion of its userbase comes from non-US regions such as the [[Place:Middle East|Middle East]] and [[Place:Southeast Asia|Southeast Asia]] and that hashtags should not be [[Cherry picking|cherry-picked]] due to differences in the number of views per post and the age of a post or tag. The popularity of pro-Palestine content has also been explained by the app's younger user base, which has shifted its sympathy away from [[Place:Israel|Israel]] towards the Palestinians.<ref name="Roscoe">{{Cite web |last=Roscoe |first=Jules |date=13 November 2023 |title=TikTok Says It's Not the Algorithm, Teens Are Just Pro-Palestine |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/tiktok-its-not-the-algorithm-teens-are-just-pro-palestine/ |access-date=17 March 2024 |website=Vice |language=en}}</ref><ref name=Jennings>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Rebecca |date=13 December 2023 |title=TikTok isn't creating false support for Palestine. It's just reflecting what's already there. |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23997305/tiktok-palestine-israel-gaza-war |access-date=17 March 2024 |website=Vox |language=en |quote=It is an app dominated by young people, and young people happen to sympathize with Palestine. Before the Hamas attacks on October 7, Americans were already beginning to side more with the Palestinian cause.}}</ref>

The Jewish Federations of North America expressed support for TikTok to be banned, while Israel's critics denounced the "criminalisation of pro-Palestinian voices", including on TikTok, which has been used to condemn "Israel's atrocities", according to ''The New Arab''.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 March 2024 |title=US pro-Israel Jewish group backs ban on 'antisemitic' TikTok |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/us-pro-israel-jewish-group-backs-ban-antisemitic-tiktok |work=The New Arab |language=en |quote=Critics say supporters of Israel are weaponising antisemitism to defend Israel's war on Gaza and the criminalisation of pro-Palestinian voices, including on social media. TikTok has been an important tool for activists and users to expose the genocide in Gaza and condemn Israel's atrocities.}}</ref> TikTok was also accused by Malaysia's minister of communications, Fahmi Fadzil of suppressing pro-Palestinian content. The company stated it banned praising Hamas and removed more than 775,000 videos and 14,000 livestreams.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Latiff |first1=Rozanna |date=27 October 2023 |title=TikTok rejects Malaysian accusation it blocks pro-Palestinian content |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-says-malaysias-claims-it-blocks-pro-palestinian-content-are-unfounded-2023-10-27/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 October 2023 |title=Malaysia warns TikTok, Meta over alleged blocking of pro-Palestinian content |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/malaysia-warn-tiktok-meta-over-alleged-blocking-pro-palestinian-content-minister-2023-10-26/ |access-date=14 March 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

There has also been reporting on the trend of Israeli soldiers using TikTok to mock Palestinians and boast about their actions in the Gaza Strip.<ref name=NYTtoler>{{cite news |last1=Toler |first1=Aric |last2=Kerr |first2=Sarah |last3=Sella |first3=Adam |last4=Lajka |first4=Arijeta |last5=Clarke |first5=Chavez |date=6 February 2024 |title=What Israeli Soldiers' Videos Reveal: Cheering Destruction and Mocking Gazans |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/world/middleeast/israel-idf-soldiers-war-social-media-video.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=13 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pita |first=Antonio |date=10 December 2023 |title=On TikTok, the war in Gaza is a game |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-12-10/on-tiktok-the-war-in-gaza-is-a-game.html |work=El País |language=en |access-date=13 January 2026}}</ref><ref name=Buxbaum/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=16 January 2024 |title=Israeli soldiers' TikTok videos reveal disturbing behaviour in Gaza |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240116-israeli-soldiers-tiktok-videos-reveal-disturbing-behaviour-in-gaza/ |work=Middle East Monitor |access-date=13 January 2026}}</ref>  According to Huda Abudagga, a legal advisor for the British nonprofit Law for Palestine, many of the videos show soldiers partaking in actions, such as the destruction of Palestinian homes as well as the theft of private and public property, that are considered war crimes under international law.<ref name=Buxbaum/> Similarly, four legal experts consulted by the ''New York Times'' said that the videos "could be used to show unlawful destruction, a violation of the Geneva Conventions."<ref name=NYTtoler/>  One such video, which showed Israeli soldiers dancing and singing "There are no uninvolved civilians", was included as evidence of genocidal intent in South Africa's case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.<ref name=Buxbaum>{{cite news|last=Buxbaum|first=Jessica |date=29 January 2024|title=How Israeli soldiers are TikToking their war crimes in Gaza |url= https://www.newarab.com/analysis/how-israeli-soldiers-are-tiktoking-their-war-crimes-gaza |work=The New Arab |access-date=13 January 2026}}</ref>

In November 2023, Osama bin Laden's 2002 "Letter to the American people" went viral on TikTok and other social media. In the letter, he denounced the US and its support for Israel, and supported [[Religion:Al-Qaeda|al-Qaeda]]'s war against the US as a defensive struggle. Numerous social media users, including Americans, expressed their opposition to US foreign policy by sharing the resurfaced copies of the letter and its contents. ''The Guardian'' website removed the letter after displaying it for more than 20 years, and TikTok began issuing takedowns of videos featuring the letter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2023 |title=Guardian deletes Osama Bin Laden's old letter to America after the internet started debating it |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/world/guardian-deletes-osama-bin-ladens-old-letter-to-america-after-the-internet-started-debating-it-18336391.htm/amp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116075523/https://www.cnbctv18.com/world/guardian-deletes-osama-bin-ladens-old-letter-to-america-after-the-internet-started-debating-it-18336391.htm/amp |archive-date=16 November 2023 |website=CNBC TV18}}</ref> Reporting in ''The Washington Post'' suggested that the virality of the letter had been limited prior to media coverage, having never trended on TikTok. Many of the TikTok videos covering the letter were critical of bin Laden, and media coverage had exaggerated its significance while elevating the virality of the letter.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Harwell |first1=Drew |last2=Bisset |first2=Victoria |date=17 November 2023 |title=How Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America' reached millions online |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2023/11/16/guardian-osama-bin-laden-letter-to-america/ |access-date=17 November 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117003610/https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2023/11/16/guardian-osama-bin-laden-letter-to-america/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2025, TikTok hired Erica Mindel, a former Israel Defense Forces instructor and contractor for the US State Department's Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, as its Public Policy Manager of Hate Speech.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-30 |title=TikTok hate speech manager is former IDF soldier |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-862765 |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |issn=0792-822X }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kassel |first=Matthew |date=2025-07-28 |title=TikTok hires new hate speech manager amid concerns over rising antisemitic content on the platform |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2025/07/tiktok-hate-speech-manager-erica-mindel-antisemitism-social-media/ |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=Jewish Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

Starting in 2026, TikTok began cracking down on the accounts of Palestinian activists and journalists, including Bisan Owda, who had reported on the human rights abuses taking place in Gaza. Media outlets such as Al Jazeera verified that TikTok's new algorithm hid content depending on the user's region, with the app hiding Palestinian content from users in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rowlands |first=Lyndal |title=Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda with 1.4m followers reports TikTok ban |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/29/palestinian-journalist-bisan-owda-with-1-4m-followers-reports-tiktok-ban |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

=== Child exploitation in Kenya ===
An investigation in 2025 found that TikTok was profiting from sexual livestreams in Kenya involving minors, with teenagers as young as 15 using the platform to solicit explicit content. Women in Kenya reported earning money through TikTok Lives, where coded sexual slang and emoji gifts facilitated transactions, with explicit content often delivered via other platforms. TikTok takes a 70% cut of these livestream earnings and has been aware of [[Medicine:Child sexual abuse|child exploitation]] since at least 2022. Many moderators say the company's content policies are ineffective, and digital pimps exploit underage users on the large. Kenya lacks adequate moderation, and TikTok denies any sort of wrongdoing.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sivathasan |first1=Nalini |last2=Clahane |first2=Patrick |last3=Kemoli |first3=Debula |date=3 March 2025 |title=TikTok profiting from sexual livestreams involving children, BBC told |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedl8eyy4pjo |access-date=3 March 2025 |website=BBC}}</ref>

In response to the exposé, Kenya's Communications Authority (CA) launched a formal inquiry, directing TikTok to remove all sexual content involving minors and submit a detailed plan to strengthen its moderation and child protection systems.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-03-06 |title=Kenya launches formal probe on TikTok sexual content claims |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/kenya-launches-formal-probe-on-tiktok-sexual-content-claims-4954226 |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Business Daily |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bilali |first=Hikmatu |title=Kenya: Communications Authority Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Allegations |url=https://www.wearetech.africa/en/fils-uk/news/telecom/kenya-communications-authority-takes-action-against-tiktok-following-child-exploitation-allegations |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=www.wearetech.africa |language=fr-fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PURITY |first=WANGECHI |date=2025-03-06 |title=TikTok ordered to remove minors sexual contents after BBC expose |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2025/03/tiktok-ordered-to-remove-minors-sexual-contents-after-bbc-expose/ |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Capital Business |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Lobbying by competitors ===
According to ''The Washington Post'', [[Company:Meta Platforms|Meta]] hired the Republican consulting firm Targeted Victory to run a campaign aimed at turning public opinion against TikTok. Internal emails revealed that the firm sought to portray TikTok as "the real threat" and encouraged headlines such as "From dances to danger: how TikTok has become the most harmful social media space for kids." Operatives promoted stories to local media that tied TikTok to allegedly dangerous trends among teenagers, including the 2021 "devious lick" vandalism challenge, which evidence shows originated on Facebook. The campaign also sought to deflect attention from criticisms of Meta's own privacy and antitrust issues. A Meta spokesperson defended the effort, saying that all platforms, including TikTok, should face equal scrutiny.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oladipo |first=Gloria |date=2022-03-30 |title=Facebook owner reportedly paid Republican firm to push message TikTok is 'the real threat' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/30/facebook-owner-reportedly-paid-republican-firm-tiktok-real-threat |access-date=2025-09-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Press-Reynolds |first=Kieran |title=Meta paid a GOP-linked firm to promote negative coverage of rival TikTok, The Washington Post reports |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-facebook-targeted-victory-washington-post-tiktok-negative-coverage-2022-3 |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> An analysis estimated that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, could gain between $2.46 billion and $3.38 billion in advertising revenue if TikTok were banned.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Lloyd |last2=O'Reilly |first2=Lara |last3=Niemeyer |first3=Kenneth |title=Meta could rake in billions in ad dollars if TikTok is banned |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-us-ban-how-meta-benefits-google-instagram-youtube-ad-2025-1 |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Alleged censorship of criticism of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein===
In 2026 TikTok was criticized for allegedly censoring criticism of Donald Trump and references to Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Trump had a long-standing relationship.<ref name=indyepstein>{{cite news |title=TikTok blocks Epstein mentions and anti-Trump videos, users claim |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/tiktok-epstein-trump-censorship-ice-b2908309.html |access-date=28 January 2026 |work=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok investigates blocking of 'Epstein' and anti-Trump videos amid censorship allegations |url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/01/27/tiktok-investigates-blocking-of-epstein-and-anti-trump-videos-amid-censorship-allegations |access-date=28 January 2026 |work=Euronews}}</ref> California governor Gavin Newsom said the Government of California was launching an investigation of TikTok for violating California law by censoring Trump-critical content.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Trump-approved US TikTok is off to a rough start |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/27/media/tiktok-trump-ice-epstein-censorship-tech-issues |access-date=28 January 2026 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Newsom to probe claims of Trump-critical censorship at TikTok |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/26/newsom-to-review-if-tiktok-is-censoring-trump-critical-content-00748727 |access-date=28 January 2026 |work=Politico}}</ref> TikTok claimed it was not deliberately censoring content and blamed alleged power outages.<ref>{{cite news |title=TikTok denies ICE, Epstein censorship, says power outages behind U.S. app issues |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/tiktok-us-joint-venture-censorship-glitches-newsom-epstein-ice-censorship.html |access-date=28 January 2026 |work=CNBC}}</ref>

=== Alleged censorship of anti-ICE videos ===
In 2026, it was reported by users that they were unable to make and post videos about ICE. TikTok however spoke up in a statement which identifies a power outage at a US data center as the reason for this.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew |first=Scottie |date=2026-01-27 |title=Why can’t TikTokers upload anti-ICE videos? {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/26/tech/tiktok-ice-censorship-glitch-cec |access-date=2026-03-12 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>   

== Restrictions and bans ==
{{Main|Social:Censorship of TikTok}}

[[File:Censorship of Tik Tok.svg|thumb|400px|{{hanging indent|{{ubl
|{{legend|#c0c0c0c0|TikTok available on all devices}}
|{{legend|#0000ffff|TikTok banned on national governmental devices}}
|{{legend|#fff200ff|TikTok previously banned for all users}}
|{{legend|#f09e9eff|TikTok discontinued for download}}
|{{legend|#80007eff|TikTok banned for all users ''de jure'', but not enforced}}
|{{legend|#ff1adbff|TikTok banned for all users ''de facto''}}
|{{legend|#ff0000ff|TikTok banned for all users}}
|{{legend|#ff6600ff|TikTok unavailable; Douyin used instead}}
|'''Not shown:''' Banned on EU and NATO devices}}}}]]

===Albania===
On 21 December 2024, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the Albanian government will shut down TikTok in 2025 for at least a year, following a deadly incident in November 2024 in which a teenager fatally stabbed another teen after a dispute that began on the platform.<ref>{{cite news |title=Albania to shut down TikTok for a year, says prime minister |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2024/12/21/albania-to-shut-down-tiktok-for-a-year-says-prime-minister_6736346_13.html |work=Le Monde |date=21 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mackintosh |first1=Thomas |title=Albania declares one-year TikTok ban over stabbing |work=BBC News |date=21 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Albania bans TikTok for a year after fatal stabbing of teenager last month |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/21/albania-bans-tiktok-for-a-year-after-fatal-stabbing-of-teenager-last-month |work=The Guardian |date=21 December 2024}}</ref> On 7 March 2025, the shutdown was officially enacted after the Albanian Cabinet cited concerns over the app's role in promoting violence and bullying among children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=Albania shuts down TikTok for a year amid concerns over violence among children |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/tiktok-cabinet-albania-edi-rama-tirana-b2710620.html |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

=== Canada ===
On 6 November 2024, Canada ordered TikTok to shut down its offices and subsidiary company (TikTok Technology Canada, Inc.) in the country due to national security concerns under the [[Finance:Investment Canada Act|Investment Canada Act]], but access to the app was not banned.<ref name="Milmo-2024">{{Cite news |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=2024-11-07 |title=Canada orders TikTok to close offices over 'security risks' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/07/canada-orders-tiktok-to-close-vancouver-office-over-security-risks |access-date=2024-11-08 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="Government of Canada-2024">{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2024 |title=Government of Canada orders the wind up of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2024/11/government-of-canada-orders-the-wind-up-of-tiktok-technology-canada-inc-following-a-national-security-review-under-the-investment-canada-act.html |access-date=November 8, 2024 |website=Government of Canada}}</ref> Users will still be able to access the video app and upload content to it.<ref name="Milmo-2024" /><ref name="Government of Canada-2024" />

On 9 March 2026, the Government of Canada completed the further national security review of the company in question and allowed investment and operations in the country under new legally-binding commitments to security.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Innovation |first=Science and Economic Development Canada |date=2026-03-09 |title=Minister Joly’s statement on the outcome of the further national security review of TikTok Technology Canada Inc. under the Investment Canada Act |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2026/03/minister-jolys-statement-on-the-outcome-of-the-further-national-security-review-of-tiktok-technology-canada-inc-under-the-investment-canada-act.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>

=== European Union ===
In February 2023, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the [[Organization:Council of the European Union|Council of the European Union]], have all banned TikTok on staff devices, citing cybersecurity concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 February 2023 |title=European Commission bans TikTok from official devices |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/23/tech/tiktok-ban-european-commission |access-date=23 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223155430/https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/23/tech/tiktok-ban-european-commission |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chee |first=Foo Yun |date=23 February 2023 |title=Top EU bodies, citing security, ban TikTok on staff phones |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-commission-staff-told-remove-tiktok-phones-eu-industry-chief-says-2023-02-23/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223120728/https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-commission-staff-told-remove-tiktok-phones-eu-industry-chief-says-2023-02-23/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== India ===
In 2020, TikTok was banned indefinitely in India after the country had a border clash with China.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ellis-Petersen |first1=Hannah |title=India bans TikTok after Himalayan border clash with Chinese troops |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/29/india-bans-tiktok-after-himalayan-border-clash-with-chinese-troops |work=The Guardian |date=29 June 2020}}</ref>

=== United States ===

In January 2020, the United States Army and Navy banned TikTok on government devices after the Defense Department labeled it a security risk. Recruiters had been using the app to help fill quotas, and some continue to maintain a level of engagement through their personal accounts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Howe|first=Elizabeth|title=Army Recruiters on TikTok Dance Around Ban To Reach Gen Z|date=16 November 2021|publisher=Defense One|url=https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/11/army-recruiters-tiktok-dance-around-ban-reach-gen-z/186881/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kelly|first=Makena|title=The Army is in hot water over TikTok recruiting activity|date=14 December 2021|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/14/22834405/tiktok-army-marco-rubio-ban-report-government-personal-devices}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sung|first=Morgan|title=TikTok-famous 'Island Boys' promote Army recruitment in Cameo|date=25 January 2022|publisher=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/tiktok-famous-island-boys-promote-army-recruitment-cameo-rcna13347}}</ref>

According to a 2020 article in ''The New York Times'', Central Intelligence Agency analysts determined that while it is possible the Chinese government could obtain user information from the app, there was no evidence it had done so.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Canales |first1=Katie |title=CIA analysts reportedly told the White House there's 'no evidence' the Chinese government has accessed TikTok data |url=https://news.yahoo.com/cia-analysts-reportedly-told-white-222727936.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809135630/https://news.yahoo.com/cia-analysts-reportedly-told-white-222727936.html |archive-date=9 August 2020 |access-date=9 August 2020 |publisher=Yahoo! News|date=7 August 2020 }}</ref>

==== Federal level ====
On 6 August 2020, US President Donald Trump signed an order<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=8 December 2020|via=National Archives|publisher=White House|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303003031/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-addressing-threat-posed-tiktok/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=11 August 2020|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=8 December 2020|website=Federal Register|archive-date=9 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209064214/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|url-status=live}}</ref> which would ban TikTok transactions in 45 days if it was not sold by ByteDance.<ref>{{cite news |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 |publisher=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="Arbel-2020">{{cite news|last=Arbel|first=Tali|date=6 August 2020|title=Trump bans dealings with Chinese owners of TikTok, WeChat|work=Associated Press News|url=https://apnews.com/719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8|url-status=live|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807071140/https://apnews.com/719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8|archive-date=7 August 2020}}</ref> On 14 August 2020, Trump issued another order<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=8 December 2020|via=National Archives|publisher=White House|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120202126/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/order-regarding-acquisition-musical-ly-bytedance-ltd/|url-status=live}}</ref> giving ByteDance 90 days to sell or spin off its US 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|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101122600/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/356940/white-house-presses-to-move-forward-with-tiktok-ba.html|url-status=live}}</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>

In June 2021, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking the Trump administration ban on TikTok, and instead ordered the Secretary of Commerce to investigate the app to determine if it poses a threat to US national security.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Makena |title=Biden revokes Trump bans on TikTok and WeChat |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/9/22525953/biden-tiktok-wechat-trump-bans-revoked-alipay |access-date=9 June 2021 |work=The Verge |date=9 June 2021}}</ref> On 27 December 2022, the Chief Administrative Officer of the United States House of Representatives banned TikTok from all devices managed by the House of Representatives.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warburton |first=Moira |date=27 December 2022 |title=U.S. House administration arm bans TikTok on official devices |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-house-administration-arm-bans-tiktok-official-devices-2022-12-27/ |access-date=28 December 2022}}</ref> On 30 December 2022, President Joe Biden signed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, prohibiting the use of the app on devices owned by the federal government, with some exceptions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ingram |first=David |date=30 December 2022 |title=Biden signs TikTok ban for government devices, setting up a chaotic 2023 for the app |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tiktok-ban-biden-government-college-state-federal-security-privacy-rcna63724 |url-status=live |access-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101212713/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tiktok-ban-biden-government-college-state-federal-security-privacy-rcna63724 |archive-date=1 January 2023}}</ref>

On 13 March 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 7521, which would ban TikTok entirely unless it was divested from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2024 |title=House passes bill that could lead to a TikTok ban; fight shifts to the Senate |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/13/house-passes-bill-that-could-lead-to-a-tiktok-ban-fight-shifts-to-the-senate.html |access-date=13 March 2024 |website=CNBC}}</ref> In April, the House of Representatives included a revised version of the bill in a foreign aid package, which was passed by the Senate on 23 April 2024, and signed into law by President Joe Biden the following day.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Peller |first1=Lauren |last2=Hutzler |first2=Alexandra |last3=El-Bawab |first3=Nadine |date=20 April 2024 |title=House approves $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-vote-foreign-aid-bills-ukraine-israel/story?id=109429499 |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Peller |first1=Lauren |last2=Pecorin |first2=Allison |last3=Beth Hensley |first3=Sarah |last4=Hutzler |first4=Alexandra |date=23 April 2024 |title=Senate passes $95B foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan: What's next? |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-returns-95b-foreign-aid-package-ukraine-israel/story?id=109506150 |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/after-battle-with-republicans-biden-sign-ukraine-aid-package-2024-04-24/ |title=Biden signs Ukraine aid, TikTok ban package after Republican battle |date=24 April 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024 |publisher=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> The law was challenged in TikTok, Inc. v. Garland but was upheld as constitutional. In response to the potential ban, many users signed up for the Chinese app [[Finance:Xiaohongshu|Xiaohongshu (Chinese: 小红书)]], known internationally as REDnote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RedNote: Americans and Chinese share jokes on 'alternative TikTok' as US ban looms |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c983lr756xwo |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.bbc.com |date=17 January 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 18 January 2025, hours before the bill went into effect, TikTok became unavailable across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=2025-01-19 |title=TikTok is down in the US |url=https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/18/24346961/tiktok-shut-down-banned-in-the-us |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-19 |title=TikTok makes app unavailable for U.S. users ahead of ban |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tiktok-makes-app-unavailable-us-users-ahead-ban-rcna188294 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> The next day, TikTok restored access to their service after re-elected US President Donald Trump assured TikTok he would not enforce the law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-19 |title=TikTok says it's restoring service to US users based on Trump's promised executive order |url=https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-biden-china-bdc79b7ce741a81761f67ea56d410103 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Associated Press-2025" /> President Trump signed an executive order on 20 January 2025, delaying the enforcement of the TikTok ban by 75 days.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shepardson |first1=David |last2=Paul |first2=Katie |date=January 21, 2025 |title=TikTok gets reprieve with Trump order but with twist |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-awaits-trump-reprieve-china-signals-open-deal-2025-01-20/ |access-date=January 21, 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-21 |title=Application Of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act To TikTok |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/application-of-protecting-americans-from-foreign-adversary-controlled-applications-act-to-tiktok/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2025, President Trump signed another executive order further delaying the enforcement of the TikTok ban by 75 days,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vanian |first=Jonathan |date=2025-04-04 |title=Trump extends TikTok deadline for the second time |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/04/trumps-extends-tiktok-second-time.html |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> and did so again in June 2025 with a 90-day extension.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Wendy |title=TikTok deal gets another extension from Trump |website=Los Angeles Times |date=19 June 2025 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-06-19/tiktok-receives-another-extension-from-president-trump |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref>

==== State level ====
As of February 2023, at least 32 (of 50) states have announced or enacted bans on state government agencies, employees, and contractors using TikTok on government-issued devices. State bans only affect government employees and do not prohibit civilians from having or using the app on their personal devices.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maheshwari |first=Sapna |date=15 January 2023 |title=Auburn Banned TikTok, and Students Can't Stop Talking About It |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/15/business/auburn-tiktok-ban-students.html |access-date=15 January 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 January 2023 |title=EXPLAINER: List of states banning TikTok grows |url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-china-privacy-26b0ee0d4c8421fa7f58b06f76651dc1 |access-date=15 January 2023 |publisher=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

==== Observations ====
Critics say the United States itself surveils individuals abroad via tech companies under FISA laws.<ref name="aj202303282">{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Erin |title=US says China can spy with TikTok. It spies on world with Google |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/3/28/bid-to-ban-tiktok-raises-hypocrisy-charge-amid-global-spying |access-date=22 May 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913174757/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/3/28/bid-to-ban-tiktok-raises-hypocrisy-charge-amid-global-spying |url-status=live |quote=They did not mention how the US government itself uses US tech companies that effectively control the global internet to spy on everyone else ... giving agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) practically free rein to snoop on their communications. I'm sure there's some use they could make of that information, German said. But why wouldn't they just buy it on the open market like the American government does?}}</ref> Data collected by TikTok and other social networks can already be purchased through other means.<ref name="aj202303282" /><ref name="Chin-2022">{{Cite news |last=Chin |first=Caitlin |date=6 October 2022 |title=U.S. Digital Privacy Troubles Do Not Start or End with TikTok |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-digital-privacy-troubles-do-not-start-or-end-tiktok |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606015952/https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-digital-privacy-troubles-do-not-start-or-end-tiktok |archive-date=6 June 2023 |access-date=10 September 2023 |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies |quote=In recent years, government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Special Operations Command, Internal Revenue Service, and Defense Intelligence Agency have reportedly purchased massive amounts of U.S. mobile app geolocation information from data brokers—without warrants or proper oversight. Furthermore, U.S. private companies, such as Clearview AI, Palantir, and Giant Oak have collectively scanned billions of social media posts—which could include TikTok content.}}</ref> Some theorize that, if passed, H.R. 7521 could "embolden authoritarian censorship" of American Internet companies and affect US interests, reputation, and online speech.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2024 |title=A TikTok ban could embolden authoritarian censorship, experts warn |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tiktok-ban-embolden-authoritarian-censorship-experts-warn-rcna143476 |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> They have also labeled a potential ban on the app an assault on [[Philosophy:Freedom of speech|freedom of speech]], including Republican congressmen Rand Paul and Thomas Massie.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Fortinsky |first = Sarah |date = March 13, 2024 |title = Rand Paul: Proposed TikTok ban 'makes no sense' |url = https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4527989-rand-paul-proposed-tiktok-ban-makes-no-sense/ |access-date = April 20, 2024 |website = The Hill |language = en-US |archive-date = April 20, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240420115548/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4527989-rand-paul-proposed-tiktok-ban-makes-no-sense/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title = GOP Rep. Massie says TikTok bill would not address 'root problems' |url = https://www.nbcnews.com/video/gop-rep-massie-says-tiktok-bill-would-not-address-root-problems-206434373736 |access-date = April 20, 2024 |website = NBC News |language = en |archive-date = April 20, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240420115548/https://www.nbcnews.com/video/gop-rep-massie-says-tiktok-bill-would-not-address-root-problems-206434373736 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Observers have argued that the national security concerns raised are largely hypothetical.<ref>{{cite news |title=House approves sell-or-be-banned TikTok measure, attaching it to foreign aid bill |url=https://www.wpr.org/news/house-approves-sell-or-be-banned-tiktok-measure-attaching-it-to-foreign-aid-bill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427223631/https://www.wpr.org/news/house-approves-sell-or-be-banned-tiktok-measure-attaching-it-to-foreign-aid-bill |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |work=Wisconsin Public Radio |quote=Those concerns remain largely hypothetical. TikTok is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, yet there is no publicly available evidence that government officials have ever influenced what Americans see on the app, nor any proof that officials in China have spied on U.S. citizens through TikTok.}}</ref><ref name="CNN20240312">{{Cite news |last=Fung |first=Brian |date=March 12, 2024 |title=TikTok creators fear a ban as the House prepares to vote on a bill that could block the app in America |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/12/tech/us-tiktok-ban-bill/index.html |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314054648/https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/12/tech/us-tiktok-ban-bill/index.html |url-status=live |quote=Cybersecurity experts say that the national security concerns surrounding TikTok remain a hypothetical—albeit concerning—scenario. US officials have not publicly presented evidence that the Chinese government has accessed the user data of US TikTok users. ... a strain of fear and racism, echoing many other Asian-Americans who have looked on with growing alarm. Creators interviewed by CNN say they have not personally viewed any content on TikTok that could be described as Chinese propaganda, however. Multiple creators say the House bill ... would almost certainly disrupt the organic communities they've built.}}</ref><ref name=conversation>{{cite web |last1=Diab |first1=Robert |date=15 March 2024 |title=Does TikTok pose a security threat to Canadians? |url=https://theconversation.com/does-tiktok-pose-a-security-threat-to-canadians-225871 |access-date=13 January 2025 |website=The Conversation}}</ref> There is insufficient public evidence to show that American user data has been accessed by or shared with the PRC government,<ref>{{cite news |title=House overwhelmingly votes to ban TikTok if its Chinese owner doesn't sell |url=https://fortune.com/2024/03/13/house-passes-tiktok-ban-senate-path-unclear/ |work=Fortune |language=en |quote=To date, the U.S. government also has not provided any evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities. |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404003213/https://fortune.com/2024/03/13/house-passes-tiktok-ban-senate-path-unclear/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Chicago Policy Review 7-26-2023">{{cite journal |last=Campo |first=Richard |date=July 26, 2023 |title=Is TikTok a National Security Threat? |url=https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2023/07/26/is-tiktok-a-national-security-threat/ |journal=Chicago Policy Review |publisher=Harris School of Public Policy |access-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814073919/https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2023/07/26/is-tiktok-a-national-security-threat/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN Business 3-21-2023">{{cite news |last=Fung |first=Brian |date=March 21, 2023 |title=Lawmakers say TikTok is a national security threat, but evidence remains unclear |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/21/tech/tiktok-national-security-concerns/index.html |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=CNN Business |publisher=CNN |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925004926/https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/21/tech/tiktok-national-security-concerns/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> with some claims reportedly exaggerated.<ref name=atlantic>{{cite news |last1=Warzel |first1=Charlie |title=Welcome to the TikTok Meltdown |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/04/tiktok-meltdown-ban-biden-china/678177/ |work=The Atlantic |date=24 April 2024 |language=en |quote=Some of the evidence may also be of dubious provenance—as Wired reported recently, a TikTok whistleblower who claims to have spoken with numerous politicians about a potential ban may have overstated his role at the company and offered numerous improbable claims about its inner workings.}}</ref> Biden himself was on TikTok as the president, while Trump has reversed his previous position.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chandler |first1=Clay |last2=Gordon |first2=Nicholas |title=U.S. TikTok ban is full of contradictions |url=https://fortune.com/2024/05/03/us-tiktok-ban-contradictions-biden-trump-china/ |work=Fortune |language=en}}</ref> According to computer security specialist Bruce Schneier, which company owns TikTok may not matter, as Russia had interfered in the 2016 US elections using [[Company:Facebook#Russian interference|Facebook]] without owning it.<ref name="Intercept2024">{{cite news |last1=Klippenstein |first1=Ken |date=16 March 2024 |title=TikTok Threat Is Purely Hypothetical, U.S. Intelligence Admits |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/03/16/tiktok-china-security-threat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423213713/https://theintercept.com/2024/03/16/tiktok-china-security-threat/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=The Intercept |quote=The problem with TikTok isn't related to their ownership. In 2016 Russia did this with Facebook and they didn't have to own Facebook—they just bought ads like everybody else. Trump signed a covert action order authorizing the CIA to use social media to influence and manipulate domestic Chinese public opinion and views on China.}}</ref>

== Partnerships ==
In April 2021, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism partnered with TikTok to promote tourism for the [[Place:Abu Dhabi|city]].<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|access-date=27 April 2021|website=Department of Culture and Tourism|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504060212/https://tcaabudhabi.ae/en/media.centre/news/the.department.of.culture.and.tourism.abu.dhabi.partners.with.tiktok.for.destination.promotion.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It came following the January 2021 winter campaign with the [[Earth:United Arab Emirates|United Arab Emirates]] Government Media Office.<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|access-date=14 January 2021|website=Campaign Middle East|date=14 January 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114062103/https://campaignme.com/the-uae-government-media-office-and-tiktok-bring-people-together-to-discover-the-uaes-hidden-gems-in-worlds-coolest-winter/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2023, ''The New Zealand Herald'' reported that TikTok, working in cooperation with both New Zealand and Australian police, deleted 340 accounts and 2,000 videos associated with criminal gangs including the Mongrel Mob, Black Power, Killer Beez, the Comancheros, Mongols, and Rebels. TikTok had earlier drawn criticism for hosting content by organized crime groups promoting the gang lifestyle and fights. A TikTok spokesperson reiterated the platform's efforts to countering "violent" and "hateful" organizations' content and cooperating with police. New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster praised the platform for taking a "socially-responsible stance" against gangs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leask |first1=Anna |title=Social media giant TikTok deletes, bans thousands of NZ gang-linked accounts, videos – promises more to come |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cancelled-social-media-giant-tiktok-deletes-bans-thousands-of-nz-gang-linked-accounts-videos-promises-more-to-come/KMZDEB77MNCOBJQLZOGXWIO4EI/ |access-date=1 July 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630060149/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cancelled-social-media-giant-tiktok-deletes-bans-thousands-of-nz-gang-linked-accounts-videos-promises-more-to-come/KMZDEB77MNCOBJQLZOGXWIO4EI/ |archive-date=30 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

TikTok has partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to support small Latino businesses, setting aside $5000 each for 40 grant recipients based on [[Social:Entrepreneurship|entrepreneurship]].<ref>{{cite web |title=TikTok and Hispanic Heritage Foundation team up again for Creciendo con TikTok grants in support of Latino small businesses across America |url=https://hispanicheritage.org/tiktok-and-hispanic-heritage-foundation-team-up-again-for-creciendo-con-tiktok-grants-in-support-of-latino-small-businesses-across-america/ |website=Hispanic Heritage Foundation |date=14 September 2023}}</ref> After digital advertising rules for the Olympics were relaxed, TikTok and Team GB signed a sponsorship deal to help UK athletes connect with new audiences for the 2024 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Helen |title=Team GB sign deal with TikTok to boost athletes' online fanbase |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/team-gb-sign-deal-with-tiktok-boost-athletes-online-fanbase-2024-02-12/ |work=Reuters |date=11 February 2024}}</ref>

Starting in 2021, TikTok became the primary sponsor/partner of the English Football League club Wrexham A.F.C. located in Wrexham, Wales. A large version of the TikTok logo was emblazoned on the front of the player's red coloured home and away uniforms below the Wrexham A.F.C. crest as well as on shirts sold by Wrexham's brick and mortar and virtual fan stores, the partnership ended in 2023 when Wrexham was promoted to the EFL League Two after which US airline United took over the partnership/sponsorship.<ref>[https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/tiktok-kicks-off-partnership-with-wrexham-afc-uk TikTok kicks off partnership with Wrexham A.F.C.] (Retrieved from TikTok newsroom on 29 May 2024)</ref><ref>[https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/june/commercial--united-airlines-unveiled-as-front-of-shirt-sponsor/ United Airlines unveiled as front-of-shirt sponsor] (Retrieved from Wrexham A.F.C. newsroom on 29 May 2024)</ref>

On 8 January 2026, TikTok announced a new partnership with the FIFA World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TikTok Announces New Partnership With FIFA World Cup {{!}} Social Media Today |url=https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-announces-new-partnership-with-fifa-world-cup/809139/ |access-date=2026-01-09 |website=www.socialmediatoday.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In early 2026, the United States and China approved a deal transferring operational control of TikTok's US business to a joint venture led by Oracle and Silver Lake, following a 2024 US law requiring ByteDance to divest the platform over national security concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-22 |title=US and China sign off on TikTok deal |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/22/us-and-china-sign-off-on-tiktok-deal-sources-say-00741341 |access-date=2026-01-23 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> Shou Chew announced in a memo addressed to employees that TikTok will henceforth operate in the United States under a joint investment entity in which the majority ownership will be American.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boorstin |first=Jonathan Vanian,Julia |date=2025-12-18 |title=TikTok signs agreement to create new U.S. joint venture, memo says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/18/tik-tok-us-sale-china.html |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Dan Whateley, Lloyd |title=TikTok has reached a deal with investors on its US business. Read the full memo from its CEO. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-reaches-deal-with-investors-on-its-us-business-2025-12 |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> Under the agreement reached, it is guaranteed that Americans will be protected on the social network TikTok through “data protection,” “content oversight,” and “algorithm security.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardwick |first=Tim |date=2026-01-23 |title=TikTok Avoids US Ban as Joint Venture Deal Officially Closes |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/23/tiktok-avoids-us-ban-deal-officially-closes/ |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=español |first=KAITLYN HUAMANI Leer en |date=2026-01-23 |title=TikTok finalizes a deal to form a new American entity |url=https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-deal-us-china-eccb46c3bfee4cf3d362a01fe4968a4f |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TikTok seals deal for new US joint venture to avoid American ban | work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/tiktok-reaches-deal-new-us-joint-venture-avoid-american-ban-2026-01-23/}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Social:Cultural impact of TikTok|Cultural impact of TikTok]]
* List of most-followed TikTok accounts
* [[Social:Timeline of social media|Timeline of social media]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last=Baker-White |first=Emily |year=2025 |title=Every Screen on the Planet: The War Over TikTok |edition=1st hardcover |location=New York |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=9781324086666 |oclc=1490364598}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.douyin.com/ Douyin] {{in lang|zh}}

{{TikTok navbox}}
{{Online social networking}}
{{Most popular social media accounts}}

[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:Mobile applications]]
[[Category:Social media companies]]
[[Category:Social networking services]]
[[Category:Video hosting]]
[[Category:Video software]]

{{Sourceattribution|TikTok}}