TOPIC

/ company

TikTok

Latest news and updates on TikTok, the globally popular social media platform. The app, which merged with Musical.ly in 2018, lets users create short videos under a minute long complete with visual effects and background music. It has since come under scrutiny in countries like the US and India because it is owned by a Chinese company. Critics have accused the app of posing a national security risk, a claim that TikTok has repeatedly denied. Known as Douyin in China, the app is owned by Beijing-based startup ByteDance, also behind the Chinese news aggregator Jinri Toutiao.

Chairman / President

Zhang Yiming

CEO / Managing Director

Shou Zi Chew

CFO / Finance Director

Julie Gao

Industry

Social Media

Website

tiktok.com

Headquarters address

Culver City, 5800 Bristol Pkwy, United States

Year founded

2016

Chinese apps like DeepSeek have raised concerns about their potential to siphon sensitive data from American users. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

From apps to autos: China’s data reach sparks US espionage and sabotage concerns

Washington accused of not doing enough to counter Beijing’s harvesting of key American data and weaponising it as a strategic asset.

1 May 2026 - 6:16AMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet Matt Friend, whose comedy charms stars, presidents – and King Charles

1 May 2026 - 6:00AM

Indonesia

Gaming platform Roblox to require facial scans for users under 16 in Indonesia

30 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

European Union

Sweden targets social media giants over ‘murder ads’ recruiting children

The government wants to stop criminal gangs use of social media to recruit people - including youngsters - to kill and commit other crimes.

29 Apr 2026 - 11:42PM

Various applications are displayed on a mobile phone, ahead of Sweden planning to fine social media firms unless they swiftly remove ‘murder ads’. Photo: Reuters

My Take

My Take | Why TikTok is being deliberately ruined by its new American owners

The popular social media platform, once owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has been turned into an AI-enabled exploitation and censorship machine.

26 Apr 2026 - 9:38PM

Social media

Turkey passes bill to restrict social media access for under-15s

It comes a week after a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher at a middle school in southern Turkey, in a gun attack.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:59PM

ByteDance

ByteDance profit plunges on AI push as TikTok Shop fuels overseas surge: reports

‘All-in’ AI drive cuts profits by 70 per cent, while booming TikTok Shop sales help overseas markets outpace China, reports say.

20 Apr 2026 - 7:00PM

ByteDance recorded its first profit decline in years after adopting an “all-in” mentality on AI. Photo: Getty Images

SpaceX

From ‘probing minds’ to verified account: how Musk’s stance on TikTok shifted

The billionaire’s surprising return to TikTok reveals his evolving tech diplomacy, with his account quickly gaining 120,000 followers.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

Apps

Realistic, no edits required – why the Setlog app is trending in South Korea

Viral app Setlog lets up to 12 friends film two- to four-second clips every hour, then auto-stitches them into a split-screen ‘day-in-the-life’ vlog.

15 Apr 2026 - 3:50PM

Chinese culture

Turning walnuts into ‘jade’? Social media goes nuts over old Chinese tradition

You will not actually make jade by rolling walnuts around in your palm, but this Chinese tradition can boost hand strength and calm anxiety.

13 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

A social media trend takes on an ancient Chinese tradition in the form of rolling a pair of walnuts around in your hand until they turn into “jade”. Photo: YouTube/ growithjessie

Americas and the Caribbean

Stampede at historic fortress in Haiti kills 25 and injures dozens

Authorities in Haiti probe ‘severe overcrowding’ at Citadelle Laferriere following mountaintop crush.

13 Apr 2026 - 1:43PM

The shoes of victims of the deadly stampede. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

War of words: China and the US battle it out for African hearts and minds

Rivalry between two global superpowers spills into the media as East meets West head-on in a clash of narratives to win over the continent.

12 Apr 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

Tencent moves to rein in AI content flood on WeChat with stricter rules

Updated guidelines target mass-produced and AI-rewritten posts, reflecting growing concern over the spread of low-effort content.

10 Apr 2026 - 9:31PM

Hong Kong society

Legal Tales | Antisocial media: Meta, Google liable in landmark case for mental health harm

Infinite scroll, likes, autoplay and other features that exploit users’ dopamine cravings replicate neurological processes that fuel gambling addiction.

9 Apr 2026 - 10:02AM

A group of children with mobile phones, all glued to their screens. Photo: Getty Images

ByteDance

ByteDance valuation exceeds US$600 billion after proposed equity sale: sources

The seller originally had the valuation at US$550 billion, but raised the amount after multiple parties expressed interest, one source said.

8 Apr 2026 - 1:40PM

Malaysia

Malaysian bookshop hits on novel idea to hook readers addicted to ‘brain rot’

BookXcess’ ‘Brain Un-Rot Library’ turns 100 books into short TikTok clips similar to the type of videos blamed for wrecking attention span.

13 Apr 2026 - 7:25PM

TV shows and streaming video

‘Like a TikTok trend’: how micro dramas leave big studios in their dust

The head of a Chinese micro drama company shares how studios behind short-form shows for phones use data to keep viewers hooked.

2 Apr 2026 - 5:15PMvideocam

China-Canada relations

Canada’s finance minister visits China as both countries seek to bolster ties

Francois-Philippe Champagne’s four-day trip comes close on the heels of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing in January.

1 Apr 2026 - 11:35PM

Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. Photo: EPA

Beauty

Why your scalp care routine is just as important as hair care

Dandruff persists due to scalp imbalances, not poor hygiene – but regular care with antifungal shampoos and gentle serums can help manage it.

8 Apr 2026 - 10:42AM

United States

New York Mayor Mamdani puts city’s government back on TikTok

The city’s top official, himself a social media star, has reversed a ban on the app that was sparked by concerns over its Chinese links.

1 Apr 2026 - 5:57AMvideocam

United States

US top court rules against ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ youth

The justices agreed the law raises free speech concerns and sent it back to a lower court to decide if it meets a legal standard.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:14PM

A person jogs in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC. An 8-1 High Court majority sided with a Christian counsellor who argues the law banning talk therapy violates the First Amendment. Photo: Getty Images via AP

Artificial intelligence

ByteDance adds watermarking, IP checks to Seedance 2.0 ahead of global launch

TikTok parent ByteDance says guardrails will protect Seedance 2.0 as it expands globally despite intense scrutiny from Hollywood.

30 Mar 2026 - 8:13AMvideocam

Video-generation model Seedance 2.0 is displayed at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center in Beijing on March 25.Photo: Xinhua

Indonesia

Indonesia begins social media ban for children under 16

Indonesia is now the first country in Southeast Asia to ban children from having accounts on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.

29 Mar 2026 - 8:11AMvideocam

Social media

Video | Indonesia bans social media for under 16s

Authorities say the move aims to protect children and young teens against addiction, abuse and exposure to harmful content.

28 Mar 2026 - 8:00AM

United States

Meta and Google liable for damages in landmark US addiction trial

Jury orders US$6 million payout to a young woman, a verdict that could affect thousands of similar cases against tech companies.

26 Mar 2026 - 1:39PM

Parents who say they have lost their children due to social media hold up a banner with names outside the court. Photo: Reuters

Celebrity Families

Meet Lara Cosima, who just got engaged to Kering heir François Pinault Jr

The ‘modern-day Marie Antoinette’ and member of the Austro-Hungarian nobility has walked for Armani and drew internet attention at Le Bal in 2023

25 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Model and influencer Lara Cosima is a member of the Austro-Hungarian nobility. Photos: @laracosima_/Instagram

Social media

Meta ordered to pay US$375 million in New Mexico child safety trial

Meta said it would challenge the decision after a jury found the social media giant liable for endangering minors.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:26AM

Icons and Influencers

Meet Marcelo Wang, the influencer teaching Rihanna phrases in Mandarin

The content creator boasts over 1 million followers on Instagram, just attended Milan Fashion Week – and speaks Portuguese, too.

16 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

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TikTok

From apps to autos: China’s data reach sparks US espionage and sabotage concerns

Washington accused of not doing enough to counter Beijing’s harvesting of key American data and weaponising it as a strategic asset.

Meet Matt Friend, whose comedy charms stars, presidents – and King Charles

Gaming platform Roblox to require facial scans for users under 16 in Indonesia

Sweden targets social media giants over ‘murder ads’ recruiting children

The government wants to stop criminal gangs use of social media to recruit people - including youngsters - to kill and commit other crimes.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Why TikTok is being deliberately ruined by its new American owners

The popular social media platform, once owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has been turned into an AI-enabled exploitation and censorship machine.

Turkey passes bill to restrict social media access for under-15s

It comes a week after a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher at a middle school in southern Turkey, in a gun attack.

ByteDance profit plunges on AI push as TikTok Shop fuels overseas surge: reports

‘All-in’ AI drive cuts profits by 70 per cent, while booming TikTok Shop sales help overseas markets outpace China, reports say.

From ‘probing minds’ to verified account: how Musk’s stance on TikTok shifted

The billionaire’s surprising return to TikTok reveals his evolving tech diplomacy, with his account quickly gaining 120,000 followers.

Realistic, no edits required – why the Setlog app is trending in South Korea

Viral app Setlog lets up to 12 friends film two- to four-second clips every hour, then auto-stitches them into a split-screen ‘day-in-the-life’ vlog.

Turning walnuts into ‘jade’? Social media goes nuts over old Chinese tradition

You will not actually make jade by rolling walnuts around in your palm, but this Chinese tradition can boost hand strength and calm anxiety.

Stampede at historic fortress in Haiti kills 25 and injures dozens

Authorities in Haiti probe ‘severe overcrowding’ at Citadelle Laferriere following mountaintop crush.

War of words: China and the US battle it out for African hearts and minds

Rivalry between two global superpowers spills into the media as East meets West head-on in a clash of narratives to win over the continent.

Tencent moves to rein in AI content flood on WeChat with stricter rules

Updated guidelines target mass-produced and AI-rewritten posts, reflecting growing concern over the spread of low-effort content.

Legal Tales | Antisocial media: Meta, Google liable in landmark case for mental health harm

Infinite scroll, likes, autoplay and other features that exploit users’ dopamine cravings replicate neurological processes that fuel gambling addiction.

ByteDance valuation exceeds US$600 billion after proposed equity sale: sources

The seller originally had the valuation at US$550 billion, but raised the amount after multiple parties expressed interest, one source said.

Malaysian bookshop hits on novel idea to hook readers addicted to ‘brain rot’

BookXcess’ ‘Brain Un-Rot Library’ turns 100 books into short TikTok clips similar to the type of videos blamed for wrecking attention span.

‘Like a TikTok trend’: how micro dramas leave big studios in their dust

The head of a Chinese micro drama company shares how studios behind short-form shows for phones use data to keep viewers hooked.

Canada’s finance minister visits China as both countries seek to bolster ties

Francois-Philippe Champagne’s four-day trip comes close on the heels of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing in January.

Why your scalp care routine is just as important as hair care

Dandruff persists due to scalp imbalances, not poor hygiene – but regular care with antifungal shampoos and gentle serums can help manage it.

New York Mayor Mamdani puts city’s government back on TikTok

The city’s top official, himself a social media star, has reversed a ban on the app that was sparked by concerns over its Chinese links.

US top court rules against ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ youth

The justices agreed the law raises free speech concerns and sent it back to a lower court to decide if it meets a legal standard.

ByteDance adds watermarking, IP checks to Seedance 2.0 ahead of global launch

TikTok parent ByteDance says guardrails will protect Seedance 2.0 as it expands globally despite intense scrutiny from Hollywood.

Indonesia begins social media ban for children under 16

Indonesia is now the first country in Southeast Asia to ban children from having accounts on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Indonesia bans social media for under 16s

Authorities say the move aims to protect children and young teens against addiction, abuse and exposure to harmful content.

Meta and Google liable for damages in landmark US addiction trial

Jury orders US$6 million payout to a young woman, a verdict that could affect thousands of similar cases against tech companies.

Meet Lara Cosima, who just got engaged to Kering heir François Pinault Jr

The ‘modern-day Marie Antoinette’ and member of the Austro-Hungarian nobility has walked for Armani and drew internet attention at Le Bal in 2023

Meta ordered to pay US$375 million in New Mexico child safety trial

Meta said it would challenge the decision after a jury found the social media giant liable for endangering minors.

Meet Marcelo Wang, the influencer teaching Rihanna phrases in Mandarin

The content creator boasts over 1 million followers on Instagram, just attended Milan Fashion Week – and speaks Portuguese, too.

My Take | Why TikTok is being deliberately ruined by its new American owners

Video | Indonesia bans social media for under 16s