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

Police officers in uniform and plainclothes police secure the site after a deadly school shooting, in the southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on April 15, 2026. Photo: via Reuters

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

20 Apr 2026 - 7:00PM

SpaceX

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

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

A vlog by a group of friends posted on Setlog. Setlog is the latest trending app on social media that is especially popular among South Koreans. Photo: Instagram/setlog_app

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

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

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

The battle is on to win over Africa with China and the US wielding their influence through their nation’s media with each superpower pushing narratives designed to denigrate each other. Photo: AFP

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

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

Malaysians read an average of 24 books a year in 2022-23, according to the National Library. Photo: Shutterstock

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

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

Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends a press conference in New York in January. Photo: TNS

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

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

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

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

A recording of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s deposition being played for jurors. Photo: Santa Fe New Mexican via AP

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

Singapore

Singaporean TikTokker to be charged with defamation, spreading falsehoods

In one of his videos, the man claimed that the government was paying to attract Chinese nationals and nurture them as leaders.

11 Mar 2026 - 10:40AM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Sarah J. Maas, bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses

BookTok may have criticised her for a lack of representation and problematic themes in her works, but the Jewish writer has sold 75 million copies of her books.

10 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Sarah J. Maas has exciting news for her fans: two new books in her best-selling romantasy series. Photo: @sarahjmaas/Instagram

Malaysia

In Malaysia, Muhyiddin’s corruption trial opens with a fight over TikTok

A former PM, a landmark corruption case – and the prosecution’s opening evidence is a pair of TikTok videos the defence says cannot stand.

10 Mar 2026 - 5:49PMvideocam

A screengrab from a TikTok video uploaded by user “puterishantek”, in which purported audio of Muhyiddin was overlaid on a graphic alleging PAS was distancing itself from Perikatan Nasional. Photo: TikTok/Puterishantek

American cinema

How Hoppers star Piper Curda hopes to inspire people in Pixar’s new film

Curda says she hopes her character’s determination to save animals rubs off on viewers of Daniel Chong’s environmentally friendly animation.

10 Mar 2026 - 5:11PMvideocam

Canada

TikTok gets green light to stay in Canada, reversing earlier ban

The app, owned by China’s ByteDance, has agreed to improve privacy and security, and to enhance protections for minors.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:31AMvideocam

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TikTok

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

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

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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

Singaporean TikTokker to be charged with defamation, spreading falsehoods

In one of his videos, the man claimed that the government was paying to attract Chinese nationals and nurture them as leaders.

Meet Sarah J. Maas, bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses

BookTok may have criticised her for a lack of representation and problematic themes in her works, but the Jewish writer has sold 75 million copies of her books.

In Malaysia, Muhyiddin’s corruption trial opens with a fight over TikTok

A former PM, a landmark corruption case – and the prosecution’s opening evidence is a pair of TikTok videos the defence says cannot stand.

How Hoppers star Piper Curda hopes to inspire people in Pixar’s new film

Curda says she hopes her character’s determination to save animals rubs off on viewers of Daniel Chong’s environmentally friendly animation.

TikTok gets green light to stay in Canada, reversing earlier ban

The app, owned by China’s ByteDance, has agreed to improve privacy and security, and to enhance protections for minors.

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

Video | Indonesia bans social media for under 16s