TikTok

TikTok, whose mainland Chinese counterpart is Douyin, is a short-form video hosting service owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance. It hosts user-submitted videos, which can range in duration from three seconds to 60 minutes. It can be accessed with a smartphone app.
tiktok

Some of the key events about TikTok

  • 2016
    Launched as a short-form video sharing platform, initially known as Douyin in China
  • 2017
    Expanded internationally under the name TikTok
  • 2018
    Merged with Musical.ly, significantly increasing its user base
  • 2018
    TikTok was fined $5.7 million by the US Federal Trade Commission for illegally collecting personal information from children under 13
  • 2019
    Introduced educational content initiative #EduTok in India
  • 2019
    The app was temporarily banned in India due to concerns about pornographic content and predatory behavior
  • 2020
    Launched $200 million Creator Fund to support content creators
  • 2020
    Implemented new features to combat misinformation and promote digital literacy
  • 2020
    TikTok was accused of censoring content related to Hong Kong protests and other politically sensitive topics
  • 2020
    The app faced scrutiny over its data collection practices and potential ties to the Chinese government
  • 2020
    TikTok was banned in India along with other Chinese apps due to national security concerns
  • 2020
    The Trump administration attempted to ban TikTok in the US, citing national security risks
  • 2021
    Introduced TikTok for Business to help brands engage with users
  • 2021
    Partnered with Shopify to enable in-app shopping experiences
  • 2021
    TikTok paid $92 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over alleged privacy violations
  • 2022
    Launched TikTok Kitchen, a virtual restaurant delivery service
  • 2022
    TikTok admitted that employees in China had accessed US user data
  • 2022
    The app faced criticism for its addictive nature and potential negative impact on mental health, especially among young users
  • 2023
    Introduced new screen time controls to promote digital wellbeing
  • 2023
    TikTok was fined €5 million by French authorities for failing to provide an easy way to refuse cookies

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

TikTok Latest news

NHS Doctor Struck Off for £52,000 Fraud to Fund Private School Fees

NHS Doctor Struck Off for £52,000 Fraud to Fund Private School Fees

A London-based ENT specialist has been removed from the medical register after defrauding the NHS of £52,000. The doctor claimed financial pressure to maintain his daughters' private education amid a lavish lifestyle.

Society • September 10 2024, 08:47 PM  •  511 views
Royal Filmmaker Will Warr: From Intimate Royal Videos to Viral Food Content

Royal Filmmaker Will Warr: From Intimate Royal Videos to Viral Food Content

Will Warr, the filmmaker behind Princess Kate's chemotherapy announcement video, is also co-creator of viral food channel Topjaw. His work spans royal intimacy and culinary exploration.

Society, Culture • September 10 2024, 12:35 PM  •  249 views
BBC News Viewership Plummets as Online Sources Dominate UK Media Landscape

BBC News Viewership Plummets as Online Sources Dominate UK Media Landscape

BBC One's news audience has significantly declined, with online platforms becoming the primary news source in the UK. Ofcom announces a review of public service media to address the shifting landscape.

Society, Politics • September 9 2024, 07:43 PM  •  254 views
Royal PR Evolution: Kate's Cinematic Chemotherapy Announcement

Royal PR Evolution: Kate's Cinematic Chemotherapy Announcement

The Princess of Wales's chemotherapy completion announcement via a stylized short film marks a significant shift in Royal communications, blending cinematic techniques with personal storytelling.

Society, Culture • September 9 2024, 07:09 PM  •  286 views
Apple's AI Dilemma: EU Regulations Delay iPhone 16 Features

Apple's AI Dilemma: EU Regulations Delay iPhone 16 Features

Apple's new iPhone 16 will showcase AI capabilities, but EU users face a wait until 2025 due to regulatory hurdles. This delay exemplifies growing tensions between tech giants and European digital rules.

Business, Politics, Science • September 9 2024, 10:11 AM  •  290 views
Far-Right Surge in Eastern Germany Raises Concerns

Far-Right Surge in Eastern Germany Raises Concerns

The AfD party's recent electoral success in Thuringia and Saxony, particularly among young voters, has sparked debates about Germany's political future and the lingering East-West divide.

Society, Politics • September 8 2024, 01:37 PM  •  152 views
Albanian Drug Gangs Recruit Cannabis Farmers on TikTok Amid UK Labor Shortage

Albanian Drug Gangs Recruit Cannabis Farmers on TikTok Amid UK Labor Shortage

Albanian criminal groups are using TikTok to recruit cannabis farmers in the UK, offering profit-sharing deals due to worker shortages. This trend follows a decrease in illegal Albanian migration and increased deportations.

Society, Politics • September 7 2024, 02:39 PM  •  300 views
AfD's TikTok Success Challenges German Political Landscape

AfD's TikTok Success Challenges German Political Landscape

Germany's far-right AfD party gains traction on TikTok, especially among young voters. Traditional media and political parties struggle to counter their social media presence, raising concerns about online extremism.

Society, Politics • September 6 2024, 09:12 AM  •  457 views
US Charges RT Employees in Alleged $10M Election Influence Scheme

US Charges RT Employees in Alleged $10M Election Influence Scheme

Two Russian nationals face indictment for allegedly running a covert propaganda operation through US social media. The scheme aimed to sway the upcoming presidential election.

Society, Politics • September 4 2024, 08:37 PM  •  347 views
UK Consumers Embrace 'Sweet Treat Economy' Amid Economic Challenges

UK Consumers Embrace 'Sweet Treat Economy' Amid Economic Challenges

Despite economic pressures, UK consumers are indulging in small luxuries, with spending on pastries and cosmetics rising. This "sweet treat economy" reflects a broader trend of mood-boosting purchases.

Business, Economics • September 3 2024, 06:24 AM  •  1142 views
UK Politics: Labour's Plans and Tory Legacy Spark Economic Concerns

UK Politics: Labour's Plans and Tory Legacy Spark Economic Concerns

Analysis of Labour's potential "war on wealth" and the Conservative party's role in shaping current economic challenges. Explores generational divides and the future of UK capitalism.

Economics, Politics • September 2 2024, 06:59 PM  •  236 views
Young Investors Defy Trends in UK's Buy-to-Let Market Hotspots

Young Investors Defy Trends in UK's Buy-to-Let Market Hotspots

Despite challenges in the UK's buy-to-let sector, some investors are expanding their portfolios in high-yield areas. New landlords are treating property investment as a business, adapting to regulatory changes.

Business, Economics • September 2 2024, 06:54 AM  •  1402 views
Young Gaza TikToker's Life Cut Short in Suspected Airstrike

Young Gaza TikToker's Life Cut Short in Suspected Airstrike

A 19-year-old Palestinian TikToker, known for documenting life in Gaza through plant cultivation, has been killed in a suspected airstrike. His positive outlook and unique content had garnered a significant online following.

Society, Culture • September 1 2024, 01:15 PM  •  75 views
Spanish Gen Z Swaps Swipes for Supermarket Flirting

Spanish Gen Z Swaps Swipes for Supermarket Flirting

Young Spaniards are turning supermarkets into dating hotspots, using upside-down pineapples as flirting signals. This trend, originating on TikTok, offers a real-life alternative to dating apps.

Society, Culture • August 30 2024, 02:40 PM  •  438 views
Gen Z Embraces "Cash Stuffing" Trend, Boosting Physical Money's Popularity

Gen Z Embraces "Cash Stuffing" Trend, Boosting Physical Money's Popularity

A budgeting trend called "cash stuffing" has made physical currency more popular among Gen Z than millennials in the UK. This unexpected shift comes amid concerns about the country becoming cashless.

Society, Economics • August 27 2024, 04:54 PM  •  14 views
Gen Z Diners Prefer Apps Over Waiters, Says Bill's Cafe Chain Boss

Gen Z Diners Prefer Apps Over Waiters, Says Bill's Cafe Chain Boss

Bill's cafe chain adapts to Gen Z preferences with tech upgrades and social media focus. Despite embracing digital ordering, the company maintains traditional hospitality and plans expansion amid rising sales.

Society, Business • August 24 2024, 01:11 PM  •  26 views
GCSE Results: Embracing Average Grades in Post-Pandemic Education

GCSE Results: Embracing Average Grades in Post-Pandemic Education

A parent reflects on their son's GCSE performance, highlighting the challenges faced by students during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of a balanced perspective on academic achievement.

Society, Culture • August 22 2024, 04:25 PM  •  0 views
TikTok Scam: Brothers Jailed for Selling Fake German Language Certificates

TikTok Scam: Brothers Jailed for Selling Fake German Language Certificates

Two brothers in Germany have been sentenced for selling forged language certificates to migrants via TikTok. The scam potentially allowed hundreds to bypass immigration rules, raising concerns about integration policies.

Society, Politics • August 21 2024, 06:10 PM  •  0 views