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

Customers flock to the opening of the first McDonald’s restaurant in Xining, the capital of northwest China’s Qinghai province, on December 21, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

China trade

Opinion | From tea to TikTok: the middleman’s return is reshaping China trade

The old Canton system is re-emerging in a new guise as the likes of TikTok and Starbucks look to middlemen to navigate a divided global economy.

16 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Australia

Australian social media ban: Meta shuts 550,000 children’s accounts

12 Jan 2026 - 11:29AMvideocam

US-China relations

California progressive to lead Democrats on influential House China panel

6 Jan 2026 - 7:08AMvideocam

Britain

UK begins ‘world-leading’ junk food ad ban to curb childhood obesity

Restrictions on daytime television and paid online advertisements are part of a US$2.7 billion preventive health strategy.

5 Jan 2026 - 7:36PM

The UK’s junk food ad restrictions aim to cut billions of calories from children’s diets. Photo: Shutterstock

Fame and celebrity

Explainer | What is the relationship ‘swag gap’? Just ask Hailey and Justin Bieber

It’s been 2 years since the Biebers attended a Rhode beauty drop in wildly different outfits – and TikTok seems to think such ‘swag gaps’ are relationship deal-breakers.

5 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM

Malaysia

Malaysia moves to regulate WhatsApp, Facebook and others under online safety law

The decision to deem major platforms licensed regardless of application closes a regulatory gap, but questions remain over enforcement.

1 Jan 2026 - 5:50PM

Artificial intelligence

Poland urges Brussels probe TikTok over AI-generated ‘EU exit’ content

TikTok removes content as Warsaw suspects Russia is behind synthetic videos calling for Poland’s exit from the EU.

31 Dec 2025 - 2:34PM

The European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: Reuters

Mainland China

Video | Watch SCMP’s most watched viral videos of 2025

Watch SCMP’s most viewed viral videos of 2025.

30 Dec 2025 - 4:33PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet comedian Morgan Jay, who went viral for his auto-tuned musical acts

Jay grew up in a musical family and interned at The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, before going viral on TikTok for his hilarious crowd work.

27 Dec 2025 - 6:00AM

TikTok ban

China’s stance on TikTok deal seen as acceptance, not approval: analysts

In 2020, a similar arrangement between ByteDance, Oracle and Walmart fell apart after China revised its export control list.

26 Dec 2025 - 8:00PM

ByteDance will license its AI recommendation technology to a newly created US TikTok entity. Photo: Reuters

Social media

Opinion | West is getting on the same page as China for children’s social media use

Governments face the same problem: how to let young people grow up in a connected world, around products not designed with their well-being in mind.

26 Dec 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

A message that reads “Let them be kids” is projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark a law banning social media for users under 16 in Australia on December 10. Photo: Reuters

Artificial intelligence

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

ByteDance-owned Doubao remains the country’s top consumer AI app, as DeepSeek’s namesake chatbot takes the No 2 spot.

24 Dec 2025 - 8:31PM

Year in Review

SCMP Plus Year in Review 2025: China

As the year comes to a close, SCMP Plus highlights the biggest China-related stories of the year.

23 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM

Food and Drinks

Old-fashioned cookbooks remain popular, including with many professional chefs

Social media may be awash with recipes, but book fans cite their appreciation for high-quality narratives and photography in a tangible form.

23 Dec 2025 - 6:00AM

Although most people get their recipes online these days, many of us still appreciate a good recipe tome -- like this Le Creuset cookbook, published by Assouline. Photo: Handout

TikTok ban

Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Figure marks a record for China’s tech giant, which will divest its US entity into a joint venture that includes Oracle and Silver Lake.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:00PM

Investors are happy as ByteDance can continue to reap earnings from TikTok in the US, according to a source. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Editorial | TikTok deal could show way forward for US-China engagement

The agreement, under which the platform will become a joint venture controlled by a consortium of investors, highlights the importance of negotiation and mutual respect.

22 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

US-China relations

TikTok seals US deal but core algorithm could still rattle ties with China

Compliance questions remain and Beijing’s approval for the spin-off is not guaranteed, observers say.

19 Dec 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

TikTok’s new US deal, China’s answer to Nvidia’s A100: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s discovery of Asia’s largest undersea gold deposit to TikTok’s deal on a new US venture, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

19 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

TikTok has reached a deal to sell its US operations to a consortium of American investors. Photo: dpa

TikTok ban

TikTok deal, China slowdown, Vanke debt deadline

This week: TikTok owner agrees sale of US operations, China’s retail sales growth unexpectedly cools, US approves Taiwan arms sales and Jimmy Lai is found guilty. Next week: China Vanke bondholders conclude debt-extension vote, Chinese lawmakers gather, Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes to market, and more.

22 Dec 2025 - 2:30PM

US-China trade war

TikTok reaches deal on new US venture with American investor group

The deal was signed on Thursday, with the landmark move ending years of legal and political uncertainty.

19 Dec 2025 - 11:23PMvideocam

Australia

Why Southeast Asia’s move to protect children online may fuel state surveillance

Measures to rein in tech companies risk opening the door to tighter state oversight of online platforms, analysts say.

18 Dec 2025 - 5:29PMvideocam

Australia banned social media for children under 16 earlier this month. Photo: dpa

Fashion

The stars wearing upcycled fashion using everything from watch straps to spoons

Hailey Bieber and Lorde both wore a dress made from watch straps by Marine Serre, while Cate Blanchett was spotted in a Hodakova halter top made of spoons.

16 Dec 2025 - 5:00AM

At the Emmys in September, Jenna Ortega turned heads in a stand-out upcycled piece from Sarah Burton’s debut collection for Givenchy, made from dozens of vintage jewels. Photo: TNS

RedNote

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

After the US migration to RedNote, experts say transforming engagement into influence will require a ‘light touch’ from Beijing.

14 Dec 2025 - 6:20PMvideocam

Scams and swindles

How the global grey market in SIM cards powers fraud and influence

How much does an army of bots cost? A new study reveals how likes and clout are bought.

12 Dec 2025 - 2:39PM

Beauty

Why 1960s Bardot-style glamour is coming back

Sydney Sweeney, Selena Gomez and Zendaya add to the bombshell revival, with voluminous blowouts and cinematic drama back on the red carpet.

11 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

Jisoo from Blackpink, complete with 60s beehive hair, for Self-Portrait’s fall/winter 2025 campaign. Photo: Handout

Fame and celebrity

Meet Noah Beck, Sidelined star and TikTok phenom

Beck dropped out of college to pursue a successful TikTok career in Los Angeles, he was once a member of Sway House, and he dated Dixie D’Amelio for 2 years.

11 Dec 2025 - 6:00AMvideocam

Noah Beck wearing pieces from Sown Again’s Wanderlake Collection. Photo: @noahbeck/Instagram

Australia

‘#seeyouwhenim16’: Australia’s social media ban for children takes effect

PM Albanese called the ban, which is being closely watched by other nations considering similar measures, ‘a proud day’ for families.

10 Dec 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

Social media

‘A lot of fear’: Australia’s under-16s anxious ahead of social media ban

As blocks begin on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram before the summer holiday, teens worry they will be ‘basically isolated’ from their friends.

9 Dec 2025 - 5:15PM

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TikTok

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | From tea to TikTok: the middleman’s return is reshaping China trade

The old Canton system is re-emerging in a new guise as the likes of TikTok and Starbucks look to middlemen to navigate a divided global economy.

Australian social media ban: Meta shuts 550,000 children’s accounts

California progressive to lead Democrats on influential House China panel

UK begins ‘world-leading’ junk food ad ban to curb childhood obesity

Restrictions on daytime television and paid online advertisements are part of a US$2.7 billion preventive health strategy.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | What is the relationship ‘swag gap’? Just ask Hailey and Justin Bieber

It’s been 2 years since the Biebers attended a Rhode beauty drop in wildly different outfits – and TikTok seems to think such ‘swag gaps’ are relationship deal-breakers.

Malaysia moves to regulate WhatsApp, Facebook and others under online safety law

The decision to deem major platforms licensed regardless of application closes a regulatory gap, but questions remain over enforcement.

Poland urges Brussels probe TikTok over AI-generated ‘EU exit’ content

TikTok removes content as Warsaw suspects Russia is behind synthetic videos calling for Poland’s exit from the EU.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Watch SCMP’s most watched viral videos of 2025

Watch SCMP’s most viewed viral videos of 2025.

Meet comedian Morgan Jay, who went viral for his auto-tuned musical acts

Jay grew up in a musical family and interned at The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, before going viral on TikTok for his hilarious crowd work.

China’s stance on TikTok deal seen as acceptance, not approval: analysts

In 2020, a similar arrangement between ByteDance, Oracle and Walmart fell apart after China revised its export control list.

Opinion | West is getting on the same page as China for children’s social media use

Governments face the same problem: how to let young people grow up in a connected world, around products not designed with their well-being in mind.

ByteDance, other major Chinese tech firms lead local consumer AI market: report

ByteDance-owned Doubao remains the country’s top consumer AI app, as DeepSeek’s namesake chatbot takes the No 2 spot.

SCMP Plus Year in Review 2025: China

As the year comes to a close, SCMP Plus highlights the biggest China-related stories of the year.

Old-fashioned cookbooks remain popular, including with many professional chefs

Social media may be awash with recipes, but book fans cite their appreciation for high-quality narratives and photography in a tangible form.

Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Figure marks a record for China’s tech giant, which will divest its US entity into a joint venture that includes Oracle and Silver Lake.

Editorial | TikTok deal could show way forward for US-China engagement

The agreement, under which the platform will become a joint venture controlled by a consortium of investors, highlights the importance of negotiation and mutual respect.

TikTok seals US deal but core algorithm could still rattle ties with China

Compliance questions remain and Beijing’s approval for the spin-off is not guaranteed, observers say.

TikTok’s new US deal, China’s answer to Nvidia’s A100: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s discovery of Asia’s largest undersea gold deposit to TikTok’s deal on a new US venture, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

TikTok deal, China slowdown, Vanke debt deadline

This week: TikTok owner agrees sale of US operations, China’s retail sales growth unexpectedly cools, US approves Taiwan arms sales and Jimmy Lai is found guilty. Next week: China Vanke bondholders conclude debt-extension vote, Chinese lawmakers gather, Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes to market, and more.

TikTok reaches deal on new US venture with American investor group

The deal was signed on Thursday, with the landmark move ending years of legal and political uncertainty.

Why Southeast Asia’s move to protect children online may fuel state surveillance

Measures to rein in tech companies risk opening the door to tighter state oversight of online platforms, analysts say.

The stars wearing upcycled fashion using everything from watch straps to spoons

Hailey Bieber and Lorde both wore a dress made from watch straps by Marine Serre, while Cate Blanchett was spotted in a Hodakova halter top made of spoons.

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

After the US migration to RedNote, experts say transforming engagement into influence will require a ‘light touch’ from Beijing.

How the global grey market in SIM cards powers fraud and influence

How much does an army of bots cost? A new study reveals how likes and clout are bought.

Why 1960s Bardot-style glamour is coming back

Sydney Sweeney, Selena Gomez and Zendaya add to the bombshell revival, with voluminous blowouts and cinematic drama back on the red carpet.

Meet Noah Beck, Sidelined star and TikTok phenom

Beck dropped out of college to pursue a successful TikTok career in Los Angeles, he was once a member of Sway House, and he dated Dixie D’Amelio for 2 years.

‘#seeyouwhenim16’: Australia’s social media ban for children takes effect

PM Albanese called the ban, which is being closely watched by other nations considering similar measures, ‘a proud day’ for families.

‘A lot of fear’: Australia’s under-16s anxious ahead of social media ban

As blocks begin on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram before the summer holiday, teens worry they will be ‘basically isolated’ from their friends.

Opinion | From tea to TikTok: the middleman’s return is reshaping China trade

Explainer | What is the relationship ‘swag gap’? Just ask Hailey and Justin Bieber

Video | Watch SCMP’s most watched viral videos of 2025