The rise of TikTok, why teenagers love it, and how its links to China may see US lawmakers ban it
- Since it was created in 2017, after short-form apps Musical.ly and Douyin merged, TikTok has become hugely popular with Generation Z in the US
- It has received more than two billion all-time downloads, but it is owned by Chinese internet firm ByteDance, raising US authorities’ fears for user privacy
One of the most popular apps among teenagers at the moment is the short-form video platform TikTok.
In the few years since it was launched, TikTok has become a staple of internet culture and social interaction for Generation Z. The app has surpassed two billion all-time downloads, according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower, thanks to its flurry of videos, in which users participate in viral challenges, lip-sync and dance to music, show off comedy skits, and share their hot takes on society at large.
But TikTok’s rise into the mainstream – especially in the United States – has also led to increased scrutiny. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, a connection that has raised concerns about how much access and influence the Chinese government has to user data and content moderation.
To appease concerns, ByteDance recently appointed a new CEO for TikTok, Kevin Mayer, an American ex-Disney streaming executive who is now based out of TikTok’s Los Angeles offices.
Nonetheless, the Trump administration hinted this month it is considering banning TikTok in the US, after the app was withdrawn from the Hong Kong market following the introduction of national security legislation.
The calls to take action against the app in one of its biggest markets could mean trouble for TikTok’s future and the millions of users loyal to its content.