TOPIC

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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

Advisers to Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump seek to break an impasse in bilateral trade issues. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

For US-China trade stand-off to ease, negotiators must be agreed upon: analysts

As Washington is said to favour Trump dealing directly with Xi and Beijing rejects the idea as too risky, possible envoys are being explored.

2 hours agovideocam

European Union

EU fines TikTok €530 million for China data transfer

2 May 2025 - 7:49PMvideocam

China technology

TikTok confirms plans to build €1 billion data centre in Finland

1 May 2025 - 1:00PM

Fame and celebrity

Who is The Office actor B.J. Novak’s much younger new girlfriend, Delaney Rowe?

Delaney Rowe trained as a ballet dancer, studied acting, and even worked as a chef for Marvel’s Stan Lee – now she writes content for her millions of followers and is writing a book.

1 May 2025 - 5:00AM

B.J. Novak, 45, is reportedly dating 29-year-old TikTokker Delaney Rowe. Photos: AFP, @delaneyrowe/Instagram

Celebrity Families

Who is model Brooks Nader’s equally stunning youngest sister, Sarah Jane?

Sarah Jane Nader looks up to her older sister, model and Dancing with the Stars’ contestant Brooks Nader, and has followed in her footsteps – now the pair are appearing in a TV show together.

29 Apr 2025 - 6:00PM

Celebrity Families

Meet Simi and Haze Khadra’s little sister Gigi, who looks like a ‘young Kim K’

What do we know about Simi, Haze and Fai Khadra’s lesser-known sister, Gigi Khadra? Here’s what we’ve gathered, from her love of travelling to hanging out with big-name celebs.

28 Apr 2025 - 10:32AM

US-China trade war

Why are European luxury brands caught in China-US trade war crossfire?

Amid US-China trade war, videos showcasing China’s manufacturing prowess went viral but also drew controversy.

26 Apr 2025 - 2:00PM

Women walk past LVMH’s group headquarters in Paris on April 14. Photo: Reuters

ByteDance

TikTok owner ByteDance weighs data centre project in Brazil, sources say

The company is in talks to partner with renewable energy producer Casa dos Ventos to develop a facility in the Pecem port complex.

26 Apr 2025 - 11:32AM

TikTok ban

TikTok shakes up US e-commerce, policy leadership amid trade war, ban law

The changes for two executives follow a departure last month, as ByteDance seeks to safeguard business in its flagship app’s largest market.

25 Apr 2025 - 6:00PM

Food and Drinks

TikTokker’s quest to find the best kebabs at Berlin’s subway stations

For more than a year, German TikTok influencer Can F Kennedy has been eating his way through kebab shops in or near Berlin’s subway stops.

23 Apr 2025 - 6:45PMvideocam

PRODUCTION - 08 October 2024, Berlin: A kebab from the Elbis-Döner restaurant at Berliner Straße 2 in Wilmersdorf. Only veal is used here, seasoned according to their own recipe. It is a Yaprak doner kebab, which is made using lean meat. The bread is also a secret. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa (Photo by Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via PHOTO: Getty Images

Gen Z

Photo booths, now TikTok viral, get a Korean twist in LA cafe

Two university graduates, inspired by how photo booths are ‘a lifestyle for people’ in Korea, have created a ‘high angle’ booth in LA.

23 Apr 2025 - 2:13PM

Prints made at a Genic photo booth in Los Angeles. Photo: TNS

Fame and celebrity

Where are the stars of Vine now? From Shawn Mendes to Lele Pons

In the wake of the app’s 2017 demise, these 6 social media stars parlayed their massive online fame into successful careers in music, acting and more.

21 Apr 2025 - 4:00AMvideocam

Japan

Sex tourists flock to Japan’s red-light area, lured by weak yen, social media

Money pressures are forcing women to offer cheaper services, further adding to Kabukicho’s attraction, shelter says.

20 Apr 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

US-China trade war

TikTok to the rescue? China’s factories go viral as US tariffs drive up prices

With tariffs at record levels, mainland suppliers to US market get creative – but industry insiders remain cautious as duties bite.

17 Apr 2025 - 10:10PMvideocam

The popular social platform TikTok has 170 million American users – and Chinese exporters have taken note. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

TikTok Shop’s sales in US plunge as tariffs hit Chinese imports

TikTok Shop, along with platforms like Shein and Temu, has emerged as a major channel connecting Chinese vendors with US consumers.

17 Apr 2025 - 12:16AMvideocam

Gross merchandise value on TikTok Shop fell last week amid an escalating tariff between the US and China. Photo: AFP

YouTube and YouTubers

Meet Piper Rockelle, the teen YouTuber at the heart of a new Netflix series

Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing details how Rockelle’s on-camera friends, also known as The Squad, sued Smith in a lawsuit; Rockelle is dating Capri Jones and hung out with Bop House.

16 Apr 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet boxing legend Floyd Mayweather’s model girlfriend, Gallienne Nabila

The pair were first linked in 2019 but have since had an on-again, off-again relationship; starting around 2022 they have appeared together at numerous events, including NBA games.

15 Apr 2025 - 11:16AM

Meta Platforms

Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg testifies at landmark US antitrust trial

Meta is accused by Federal Trade Commission of abusing its market power to acquire Instagram, WhatsApp before they could become competitors.

15 Apr 2025 - 8:50AM

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen at the luncheon on the inauguration day of US President Donald Trump’s second presidential term in Washington on January 20. Photo: Reuters

Icons and Influencers

Meet the blonde bombshell Pheloung twins, Danielle and Brigette

The 28-year-old identical twins have made waves on TikTok and Instagram with their stunning good looks; Brigette is into fashion, while Danielle has worked in investment banking.

14 Apr 2025 - 7:00PM

ByteDance

TikTok drives ByteDance’s overseas sales despite US hurdles: report

ByteDance’s total revenue is said to have risen to US$155 billion last year, placing the unicorn among the world’s top internet giants.

11 Apr 2025 - 5:00PM

Electric & new energy vehicles

Opinion | Chinese brands are impressing the world – but can they inspire it?

While Chinese companies excel in quality, pricing and design, some have yet to embed themselves in the emotional lives of global consumers.

11 Apr 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

Models pose near the BYD Seal 06 Dmi unveiled during an autho show in Beijing, on April 25, 2024. Photo: AP

Donald Trump

Flip-flopper in chief? Trump’s biggest U-turns

The US president, who sent markets reeling with his on-again off-again tariffs, has changed his tune on issues from TikTok to abortion.

11 Apr 2025 - 7:03AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump prepares to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, in March. Photo: Reuters

TikTok ban

Trump says TikTok deal is still ‘on the table’

‘But we’re going to have to wait and see what’s going to happen with China,’ the US president says.

10 Apr 2025 - 9:53AM

Fame and celebrity

Meet chef Mario Carbone’s celebrated TikTok publicist fiancée, Cait Bailey

Everyone from Kim Kardashian and Travis Kelce to Barack Obama and Leonardo DiCaprio frequents Mario Carbone’s restaurants – but in 2018 one visitor caught his eye more than most.

10 Apr 2025 - 4:00AM

E-commerce

TikTok Shop flags US risks, promotes EU as tariffs triple on small parcels

TikTok Shop has increased efforts to recruit cross-border merchants for European markets, including Spain, Germany, Italy and France.

9 Apr 2025 - 11:00PM

Art Basel

How social media artists are making a mark on Hong Kong’s creative scene

In a scene dominated by galleries, online artist influencers like Little Thunder and SurrealHK are making a mark with their social media art.

9 Apr 2025 - 10:00AM

Be Our Guest by Isaac Spellman. Photo: Handout

TikTok ban

Senator Mark Warner says new Trump TikTok extension may violate law

Trump on Friday said he extended by 75 days a deadline for ByteDance to sell US assets of TikTok to a non-Chinese buyer, or face a ban.

8 Apr 2025 - 8:49AM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Min Woo Lee, the pro golfer who was on FaceTime with Justin Bieber

Australian-born Lee, who’s winning over fans with his social media-savvy branding, and older sibling Minjee were the first brother-sister duo to win the US junior amateur championships.

7 Apr 2025 - 11:03AM

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