1989: Censorship policies criticized for potential suppression of content related to Tiananmen Square protests
In 1989, TikTok's censorship policies, along with those of Douyin, were criticized as non-transparent, as internal guidelines against promoting violence and "demonization of countries" could be used to prohibit content related to the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre.
1998: Censorship policies criticized for potential suppression of content related to Indonesian riots
In 1998, TikTok's censorship policies, along with those of Douyin, were criticized as non-transparent, as internal guidelines against promoting violence and "demonization of countries" could be used to prohibit content related to the 1998 Indonesian riots.
2002: Osama bin Laden's "Letter to the American people" released
In 2002, Osama bin Laden released his "Letter to the American people", denouncing the U.S. and its support for Israel, and supporting al-Qaeda's war against the U.S. as a defensive struggle.
August 2014: Musical.ly Initially Released
In August 2014, Musical.ly was initially released as a social media video platform for creating short lip-sync and comedy videos.
September 2016: ByteDance Launches Douyin
In September 2016, ByteDance launched Douyin, initially under the name A.me, marking the debut of the platform in the Chinese market.
December 2016: Douyin Rebrands
In December 2016, A.me rebranded to Douyin (抖音), solidifying its identity in the Chinese market.
2016: Fitz and the Tantrums' "HandClap" Gains Popularity in South Korea Via TikTok
In 2016, Fitz and the Tantrums' song "HandClap" gained significant popularity in South Korea through TikTok, despite the band never having toured in Asia.
September 2017: TikTok Launches Internationally
In September 2017, ByteDance launched TikTok in the international market as an overseas version of Douyin.
November 2017: ByteDance Acquires Musical.ly
On 9 November 2017, ByteDance purchased Musical.ly for nearly $1 billion, expanding its presence in the social media video platform market.
2017: CFIUS Investigates TikTok's Merger with Musical.ly
Since at least 2020, following calls to ban TikTok in the country, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has been investigating the company's 2017 merger with Musical.ly.
January 2018: TikTok Ranks First Among Free App Downloads
On 23 January 2018, the TikTok app ranked first among free application downloads on app stores in Thailand and other countries, demonstrating its growing popularity.
April 2018: Addiction-Reduction Feature Added to Douyin
In April 2018, an addiction-reduction feature was added to Douyin to encourage users to take a break every 90 minutes.
August 2018: TikTok Merges With Musical.ly
In August 2018, TikTok merged with musical.ly, leading to the rise of new creators on the platform.
October 2018: TikTok Becomes Most Downloaded App in the U.S.
In October 2018, after merging with musical.ly in August, TikTok became the most downloaded app in the U.S., a feat musical.ly had achieved once before.
2018: TikTok's Privacy Settings and Concerns
In 2018, TikTok had only two privacy settings: private or completely public, without any middle ground. There were also concerns of potential misuse by sexual predators due to underage users revealing their daily routines.
2018: TikTok Downloads on Apple's App Store Exceed 104 Million
In 2018, TikTok was downloaded over 104 million times on Apple's App Store during the first half of the year, according to data provided by Sensor Tower.
2018: Vox on Bullying on TikTok
In 2018, Vox noted that bullies and trolls were relatively rare on TikTok compared to other platforms.
2018: Celebrities Begin Using TikTok
In 2018, celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Tony Hawk began using the TikTok app, increasing its visibility and appeal.
January 2019: TikTok Allows Creators to Embed Merchandise Sale Links
In January 2019, TikTok enabled creators to embed merchandise sale links into their videos, providing new opportunities for monetization.
February 2019: TikTok and Douyin Hit One Billion Downloads Globally
In February 2019, TikTok, together with Douyin, reached one billion downloads globally, excluding Android installs in China, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion.
February 2019: UK ICO Launches Investigation of TikTok
In February 2019, the United Kingdom's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) launched an investigation of TikTok following the fine ByteDance received from the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
February 2019: FTC Fines ByteDance for COPPA Violations
On February 27, 2019, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached a consent decree with ByteDance, fining it U.S.$5.7 million for collecting information from minors under the age of 13 in violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
May 2019: Chipotle Partners with David Dobrik
In May 2019, Chipotle partnered with David Dobrik in a collaboration involving TikTok influencers.
August 2019: Dilraba Dilmurat and other celebrities with large following on Douyin
As of August 2019, Dilraba Dilmurat, Angelababy, Luo Zhixiang, Ouyang Nana, and Pan Changjiang were some celebrities who had garnered large followings on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
September 2019: TikTok Partners with the NFL
On 3 September 2019, TikTok and the U.S. National Football League (NFL) announced a multi-year partnership, which included the launch of an official NFL TikTok account.
October 2019: TikTok removes accounts posting ISIL propaganda
In October 2019, TikTok removed about two dozen accounts that were responsible for posting ISIL propaganda and execution videos on the app.
December 2019: TikTok Admits to Suppressing Videos by Disabled and LGBTQ+ Users
In December 2019, TikTok admitted that it had suppressed videos by disabled users as well as LGBTQ+ users in a purported temporary effort to limit cyberbullying, following a report by German digital rights group netzpolitik.org.
2019: TikTok's Geographical Use
In 2019, 43% of TikTok's new users were from India before the social platform was banned in the country.
2019: The Guardian reports TikTok censored videos not favored by the Chinese government
In 2019, The Guardian reported that TikTok had censored videos on topics not favored by the Chinese government. That year, TikTok took down a video about human rights abuses in Xinjiang internment camps but restored it after 50 minutes, claiming it was a mistake triggered by a satirical image.
2019: #EduTok Mentorship program launched
In 2019, TikTok announced the #EduTok Mentorship program, a live workshop series in the Indian states inspired by the hashtag #EduTok, in which video creators present factually for purposes of education.
2019: "Old Town Road" Becomes Biggest Song of 2019 Due to TikTok Popularity
In 2019, TikTok played a significant role in making "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X the longest-running number-one song in the history of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
January 2020: Vulnerability Discovered in TikTok's SMS Messages
In January 2020, Check Point Research discovered a vulnerability through which a hacker could spoof TikTok's official SMS messages and replace them with malicious links to gain access to user accounts. TikTok later patched the vulnerability.
January 2020: Media Matters for America reports TikTok hosts COVID-19 misinformation
In January 2020, Media Matters for America said that TikTok hosted misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic despite a recent policy against misinformation.
January 2020: U.S. Army and Navy Ban TikTok on Government Devices
In January 2020, the United States Army and Navy banned TikTok on government devices after the Defense Department labeled it a security risk.
February 2020: TikTok Announces "Family Safety Mode"
In February 2020, TikTok announced a "family safety mode" for parents to control their children's presence on the app, including screen time management, restricted mode, and direct message limits.
March 2020: Charli D'Amelio Surpasses Loren Gray as Most-Followed on TikTok
On March 25, 2020, Charli D'Amelio surpassed Loren Gray as the most-followed individual on TikTok with 41.3 million followers. D'Amelio was also the first to reach 50, 60, and 70 million followers.
April 2020: TikTok Surpasses Two Billion Mobile Downloads
In April 2020, TikTok surpassed two billion mobile downloads worldwide, marking a significant milestone in its growth.
April 2020: India asks TikTok to remove COVID-19 misinformation
In April 2020, the government of India asked TikTok to remove users posting misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were also multiple conspiracy theories that the government is involved with the spread of the pandemic.
May 2020: Complaint Filed with FTC Regarding COPPA Violations
In May 2020, an advocacy group filed a complaint with the FTC stating that TikTok had violated the terms of the February 2019 consent decree with the FTC, which sparked subsequent congressional calls for a renewed FTC investigation.
June 2020: Conspiracy theories become popular on TikTok
By June 2020, conspiracy theories such as Pizzagate and QAnon, whose hashtags reached almost 80 million views and 50 million views respectively, had become popular on the platform. TikTok has banned Holocaust denial, but conspiracy theories, misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic also spread.
June 2020: TikTok Users Claim Responsibility for Empty Seats at Trump Rally
In June 2020, TikTok users and K-pop fans claimed to have registered potentially hundreds of thousands of tickets for President Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, contributing to empty seats at the event.
July 2020: TikTok Reports Nearly 800 Million Monthly Active Users
In July 2020, TikTok reported close to 800 million monthly active users worldwide, excluding Douyin, marking significant growth within four years.
August 2020: Report on TikTok Tracking Android User Data
In August 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported that TikTok tracked Android user data, including MAC addresses and IMEIs, with a tactic in violation of Google's policies.
August 2020: "Ode to Remy" Song Sparks Ratatouille Musical Project
On 10 August 2020, Emily Jacobssen's song "Ode to Remy," praising the protagonist from Pixar's Ratatouille, gained popularity after Daniel Mertzlufft added a backing track, sparking the creation of a "crowdsourced" project called Ratatouille the Musical.
August 2020: Kevin A. Mayer Resigns as TikTok CEO
On 27 August 2020, Kevin A. Mayer resigned from his position as CEO of TikTok.
August 2020: President Trump signs order to ban TikTok transactions
On 6 August 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order which would ban TikTok transactions in 45 days if it was not sold by ByteDance. On 14 August 2020, Trump issued another order giving ByteDance 90 days to sell or spin off its U.S. TikTok business.
September 2020: Dunkin' Donuts Partners with Charli D'Amelio
In September 2020, Dunkin' Donuts partnered with Charli D'Amelio in a notable collaboration between larger brands and top TikTok influencers.
September 2020: TikTok Expands Parental Controls Feature with "Family Pairing"
In September 2020, TikTok expanded its parental controls feature called "Family Pairing" to provide parents and guardians with educational resources in partnership with Internet Matters.
September 2020: TikTok removes suicide video circulating on the platform
In September 2020, TikTok worked to remove a suicide video that was circulating on the platform, which had appeared within the recommended clips of TikTok's For You section.
September 2020: ByteDance Confirms Deal with Oracle
In September 2020, a deal was confirmed between ByteDance and Oracle in which the latter will serve as a partner to provide cloud hosting, addressing data security concerns.
October 2020: TikTok for Biden Organization Created
In October 2020, an organization called TikTok for Biden was created to support then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. After the election, it was renamed to Gen-Z for Change.
October 2020: Shopify Adds TikTok to its E-commerce Platform
In October 2020, the e-commerce platform Shopify added TikTok to its portfolio of social media platforms, allowing online merchants to sell their products directly to consumers on TikTok.
November 2020: TikTok Signs Licensing Deal with Sony Music
In November 2020, TikTok signed a licensing deal with Sony Music, enhancing its music library and content offerings.
December 2020: Warner Music Group Signs Licensing Deal with TikTok
In December 2020, Warner Music Group signed a licensing deal with TikTok, further expanding its access to music content and solidifying its position in the music industry.
2020: CIA determines there is no evidence that the Chinese government has accessed user information from TikTok
According to a 2020 article in The New York Times, Central Intelligence Agency analysts determined that while it is possible the Chinese government could obtain user information from TikTok, there was no evidence it had done so.
2020: Charli D'Amelio Makes #NoseJobCheck Video
In 2020, Charli D'Amelio, then the most-followed person on TikTok, made a #NoseJobCheck video to show the results of her surgery to repair a broken nose.
2020: Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" Re-Enters Billboard Hot 100 Due to Viral TikTok Video
In 2020, Fleetwood Mac's song "Dreams" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 after 43 years and topped Apple Music following a viral skating video and a recreation by Mick Fleetwood.
2020: TikTok Algorithm Recognized as Advanced
In 2020, The New York Times recognized TikTok's algorithm as one of the most advanced for shaping user experiences and social interactions.
2020: TikTok Food Trends Gain Popularity During COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, TikTok food trends gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as people spent more time cooking at home and engaging with social media.
2020: TikTok's US-Based CEO Takes Over Decision-Making
In 2020, TikTok stated that its US-based CEO became responsible for making important decisions, and the company downplayed its China connection amid scrutiny.
2020: TikTok Bans Content Promoting Premium Sexual Content
In 2020, TikTok updated their terms of service to ban content that promotes "premium sexual content", impacting a large number of adult content creators.
2020: TikTok removes videos about election and COVID-19 misinformation
In the second half of 2020, over 340,000 videos in the U.S. about election misinformation and 50,000 videos of COVID-19 misinformation were removed.
2020: CFIUS Investigates TikTok's Merger with Musical.ly
Since at least 2020, following calls to ban TikTok in the country, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has been investigating the company's 2017 merger with Musical.ly.
January 2021: #NoseJobCheck Trend Goes Viral on TikTok
By January 2021, the #NoseJobCheck trend was going viral on TikTok. Content creators used a specific audio while showing their noses before and after rhinoplasty. The hashtag #nosejob had accumulated 1.6 billion views, #nosejobcheck had accumulated 1 billion views, and the audio had been used in 120,000 videos.
January 2021: TikTok partners with the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office for a winter campaign.
In January 2021, TikTok partnered with the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office for a winter campaign.
January 2021: Virtual Presentation of Ratatouille the Musical Premieres
On January 1, 2021, a full one-hour virtual presentation of Ratatouille the Musical premiered on TodayTix, featuring a star-studded cast.
January 2021: Italian Authority Demands Suspension of Users
On January 2021, the Italian Data Protection Authority demanded that TikTok temporarily suspend Italian users whose age could not be established, following the death of a 10-year-old girl involved in an Internet challenge.
March 2021: Citizen Lab Study on TikTok Data Collection
A March 2021 study by the Citizen Lab found that TikTok did not collect data beyond the industry norms, what its policy stated, or without additional user permission.
March 2021: Citizen Lab study finds TikTok did not censor searches politically
In March 2021, a study by the Citizen Lab found that TikTok did not censor searches politically but was inconclusive about whether posts are.
April 2021: Abu Dhabi partners with TikTok to promote tourism
In April 2021, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism partnered with TikTok to promote tourism for the city.
May 2021: TikTok Appoints Shou Zi Chew as CEO
In May 2021, TikTok appointed Shou Zi Chew as their new CEO, succeeding Vanessa Pappas after Kevin A. Mayer's resignation.
June 2021: TikTok apologizes after beheading video goes viral
In June 2021, TikTok issued an apology after a shock video, showing a girl dancing which then cuts to a graphic scene of a man being beheaded by a saw, went viral. The video has now been sent to TikTok's blacklist, which automatically detects it before being uploaded.
June 2021: TikTok Updates Privacy Policy to Include Biometric Data
In June 2021, TikTok updated its privacy policy to include potential collection of biometric data, including "faceprints and voiceprints", for special effects and other purposes.
June 2021: President Biden Revokes Trump Administration Ban on TikTok
In June 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking the Trump administration ban on TikTok, and instead ordered the Secretary of Commerce to investigate the app to determine if it poses a threat to U.S. national security.
July 2021: Dutch Authority Fines TikTok for Privacy Statements
In July 2021, the Dutch Data Protection Authority fined TikTok €750,000 for offering privacy statements only in English but not in Dutch.
September 2021: TikTok Reaches 1 Billion Users
In September 2021, TikTok reported that it had reached 1 billion users, marking a major milestone in its user base growth.
September 2021: Ireland DPC Launches Investigations into TikTok
In September 2021, the Ireland Data Protection Commission (DPC) launched investigations into TikTok concerning the protection of minors' data and transfers of personal data to China.
October 2021: TikTok Launches Tipping Feature
In October 2021, TikTok introduced a test feature enabling users to tip creators directly. Eligible creators with over 100,000 followers could activate a "Tip" button on their profiles, allowing followers to send tips starting from $1.
October 2021: US Lawmakers Press TikTok on Data Privacy
In October 2021, a bipartisan group of United States lawmakers pressed TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat on questions of data privacy and moderation for age-appropriate content.
December 2021: Article Published on Popularity of Plastic Surgeons on TikTok
In December 2021, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery published an article about the popularity of plastic surgeons on TikTok, noting their early adoption of social media and recognition as influencers.
December 2021: TikTok Beta-Tests Live Studio Streaming Software
In December 2021, TikTok began beta-testing Live Studio, a streaming software enabling users to broadcast applications, including games, from their computers. The software supported both mobile and PC streaming.
2021: TikTok's primary user base is Generation Z
As of 2021, 41% of TikTok's users are between the ages of 16 and 24, making them part of Generation Z. Among these users, 90% use the app daily.
2021: TikTok Ranked Most Popular Website of 2021
In 2021, Cloudflare ranked TikTok as the most popular website, surpassing Google, indicating TikTok's growing influence and reach.
2021: Snapchat Pays Out to Creators Amid TikTok Competition
In 2021, Snapchat paid out $250 million to its creators, reflecting the competitive landscape influenced by TikTok's popularity.
2021: BookTok Drives Sales of Literature
In 2021, The New York Times reported that viral TikTok videos by young people relating the emotional impact of books on them, tagged with the label "BookTok", significantly drove sales of literature.
2021: TikTok's Algorithm Surpasses Other Social Media Platforms
In 2021, The Wall Street Journal highlighted TikTok's algorithm superiority over other social media platforms in understanding users' preferences and emotions, enabling highly engaging content delivery.
2021: TikTok to prevent teenagers from receiving notifications past their bedtime.
In 2021, TikTok announced it will introduce a feature to prevent teenagers from receiving notifications past their bedtime. The company will no longer send push notifications after 9 pm to users aged between 13 and 15, and after 10 pm for 16 to 17 year olds.
2021: Reports of TikTok showing similar videos related to suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders
In 2021, it was reported that accounts engaging with content related to suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders were shown more similar videos on TikTok. The company faced lawsuits pertaining to wrongful deaths and stated they are working to break up these "rabbit holes".
2021: Israeli Defense Force recruits influencers on TikTok
In 2021, the Israeli Defense Force actively recruits influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms and awarded a TikTokker, one of its military police officers, for promoting Israel.
2021: TikTok Creates Election Centers
Since 2021, TikTok has created "election centres" on its platform leading up to European Parliament elections.
February 2022: Texas Attorney General Investigates TikTok for Alleged Violations
In February 2022, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated an investigation into TikTok for alleged violations of children's privacy and facilitation of human trafficking.
February 2022: Concerns raised over effects of TikTok on teen girls
In February 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that mental health professionals were increasingly concerned about the effects of posting sexualized TikTok videos on teen girls.
March 2022: Meta Pays Firm to Run Anti-TikTok Campaign
In March 2022, The Washington Post reported that Facebook's owner Meta Platforms paid Targeted Victory to coordinate lobbying and media campaigns against TikTok, portraying it as a danger to American children and society.
March 2022: U.S. state attorneys general launch investigation into TikTok's effect on children's mental health
In March 2022, a coalition of U.S. state attorneys general launched an investigation into TikTok's effect on children's mental health.
March 2022: TikTok restricts Russian posts and livestreams after war censorship laws installed
In March 2022, after a new set of Russian war censorship laws was installed, TikTok announced a series of restrictions on Russian and non-Russian posts and livestreams.
March 2022: TikTok Settles Class Action Lawsuit for COPPA Violations
In March 2022, following a class action lawsuit for violations of COPPA, TikTok settled for US$1.1 million.
April 2022: Surgeons Offer Influencers Free Cosmetic Surgeries for Promotion
In April 2022, NBC News reported that surgeons were giving influencers discounted or free cosmetic surgeries to advertise the procedures on TikTok.
May 2022: TikTok Announces TikTok Pulse Ad Revenue-Sharing Program
In May 2022, TikTok announced TikTok Pulse, an ad revenue-sharing program for the top 4% of videos on the platform, available to creators with over 100,000 followers. Eligible creators receive 50% of the revenue from ads displayed with their videos.
June 2022: Influencers Paid by FeetFinder Fail to Disclose Ads
In June 2022, NBC News reported that some influencers paid by FeetFinder, a website that sells foot fetish content, did not disclose their videos were ads. Other TikTok creators spoke out against accepting sponsorship deals indiscriminately and criticized those who posted undisclosed FeetFinder ads.
June 2022: TikTok introduces screen time allowance feature
In June 2022, TikTok introduced a feature allowing users to set a maximum uninterrupted screen time allowance, after which the app blocks navigation. The app also features a dashboard with statistics on app usage.
June 2022: Khaby Lame Surpasses Charli D'Amelio as Most Followed on TikTok
On June 23, 2022, Khaby Lame surpassed Charli D'Amelio to become the most-followed individual on TikTok.
August 2022: Discovery of Keylogger Functionality in TikTok's In-App Browser
In August 2022, software engineer Felix Krause found that in-app browsers from TikTok and other platforms contained codes for keylogger functionality. TikTok said that the code is disabled.
September 2022: NewsGuard reports misinformation on TikTok surfaces in 19.4% of searches
In September 2022, NewsGuard Technologies reported that among the TikTok searches it had conducted and analyzed from the U.S., 19.4% surfaced misinformation such as questionable or harmful content about COVID-19 vaccines, homemade remedies, the 2020 U.S. elections, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Robb Elementary School shooting, and abortion.
October 2022: Report of ByteDance Planning to Surveil U.S. Citizens
In October 2022, Forbes reported that a team at ByteDance planned to surveil certain U.S. citizens for undisclosed reasons. TikTok stated that the tracking method suggested by the report would not be feasible.
October 2022: TikTok Plans Expansion into US E-Commerce Market
In October 2022, TikTok was reported to be planning an expansion into the e-commerce market in the US, following the launch of TikTok Shop in the United Kingdom.
November 2022: Global shortage of Ozempic reported
In November 2022, Australia's medical regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reported a global shortage of the diabetes medication Ozempic, caused by an increase in off-label prescription of the drug for weight loss purposes.
November 2022: FBI Director on Chinese Government Influence via TikTok
In November 2022, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray stated that the Chinese government could potentially use TikTok to conduct influence operations on its users.
November 2022: TikTok States Chinese Employees Can Access European User Data
In a November 2022 update to its European privacy policy, TikTok stated that its global corporate group employees from China and other countries could gain remote access to the user information of accounts from Europe based on "demonstrated need".
December 2022: ByteDance Confirms Data Access of Journalists and Contacts
In December 2022, ByteDance confirmed after an internal investigation that employees from China and the United States accessed the data of two journalists and their close contacts to uncover sources of leaks. ByteDance stated that it fired four employees in response to the privacy breach.
December 2022: NBC News Reports on Cosmetic Surgery Ads by Influencers
In December 2022, NBC News reported that some TikTok and YouTube influencers were being given free and discounted cosmetic surgeries to advertise the surgeries to platform users.
December 2022: TikTok weight loss trend linked to Ozempic shortage
In December 2022, it was reported that a huge increase in demand for the medicine Ozempic was caused by a weight loss trend on TikTok, where videos about the drug exceeded 360 million views. Wegovy also became popular after Elon Musk credited it for helping him lose weight.
December 2022: TikTok Banned from U.S. House of Representatives Devices
In December 2022, the Chief Administrative Officer of the United States House of Representatives banned TikTok from all devices managed by the House of Representatives. On 30 December 2022, President Joe Biden signed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, prohibiting the use of the app on devices owned by the federal government, with some exceptions.
December 2022: Buccal Fat Removal Trend Goes Viral
In December 2022, the cosmetic surgery procedure known as buccal fat removal became a viral trend on TikTok, amassing over 180 million views with related hashtags. It was criticized for promoting an unobtainable beauty standard.
2022: TikTok has over 100 million monthly active users in the United States
As of the first quarter of 2022, there were over 100 million monthly active users in the United States and 23 million in the UK. The average user, daily, was spending 1 hour and 25 minutes on the app and opening TikTok 17 times.
2022: TikTok Releases Showbiz List
By 2022, TikTok released a Showbiz List, highlighting individuals who were having a larger impact on the film industry.
2022: TikTok Targeted Candidates During US Elections
In 2022, "TikTok accounts run by a [Chinese] propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates" during the United States elections, according to a 2024 unclassified threat assessment by the Director of National Intelligence.
2022: Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" Goes Viral Due to Stranger Things
In 2022, Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" went viral among fans of Stranger Things, topping the UK singles chart 37 years after its original release.
2022: TikTok Bans Fundraising for Political Accounts
In 2022, TikTok banned fundraising for political accounts.
2022: TikTok Aware of Child Exploitation
In 2022, TikTok was reportedly already aware of child exploitation occurring on the platform.
2022: Turkey Investigates TikTok for Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
In 2022, Turkey's Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) initiated a probe into TikTok in relation to millions of dollars in fund transfers involving TikTok accounts that were suspected of money laundering or terrorism financing.
2022: Former Employee's Departure
In 2022, a former employee left before the Project Texas specifications were finalized. This was in response to a comment made in March 2023, when the former employee stated that Project Texas did not go far enough and that a complete "re-engineering" would be needed.
2022: TikTok addresses hate speech in Malaysia after the election
In 2022, after the election, TikTok responded to hate speech, especially mentioning the 13 May incident, by taking down videos with content that violated their community guidelines in Malaysia.
2022: Biden Administration Briefs TikTokers on News Items
Since 2022, the Biden administration has been briefing TikTokers on news items such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and student debt relief in America.
January 2023: Forbes reports on TikTok's "heating" tool for video promotion
In January 2023, Forbes reported that TikTok's "heating" tool, used to manually promote videos, comprised 1–2% of daily views. The tool was initially intended to diversify content and influencers and promote brands, artists, and NGOs. However, some employees abused it, and concerns arose about Chinese influence. TikTok is negotiating with CFIUS to restrict future heating to vetted personnel in the U.S., with audits by third parties like Oracle.
February 2023: Many U.S. states ban TikTok on government devices
As of February 2023, at least 32 (of 50) states have announced or enacted bans on state government agencies, employees, and contractors using TikTok on government-issued devices.
February 2023: Otzma Yehudit politician advocates blocking TikTok for all of East Jerusalem.
In February 2023, Otzma Yehudit politician Almog Cohen advocated blocking TikTok for all of East Jerusalem, citing concerns over the platform's content.
February 2023: Kia and Hyundai Settle Lawsuit Over Kia Challenge Trend
In February 2023, amidst the Kia Challenge trend involving the theft of Kia and Hyundai cars, the companies settled a $200-million class-action lawsuit. They agreed to provide software updates and steering wheel locks to affected vehicles.
February 2023: European Union Bans TikTok on Staff Devices
In February 2023, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union banned TikTok on staff devices, citing cybersecurity concerns.
February 2023: Canadian Privacy Commissioners Investigate TikTok's Data Collection Practices
In February 2023, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, along with its counterparts in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec, launched an investigation into TikTok's data collection practices.
March 2023: TikTok removes neo-Nazi propaganda film after alert
In March 2023, The Jewish Chronicle reported that TikTok still hosted videos promoting the neo-Nazi propaganda film Europa: The Last Battle, despite being alerted four months prior. TikTok removed and would continue to remove the content, associated accounts, and blocked the search term.
March 2023: Silicon Valley Executives Build "Anti-China Alliance" Before TikTok CEO Hearing
In March 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Silicon Valley executives met with U.S. lawmakers to build an "anti-China alliance" before TikTok CEO's congressional hearing, signaling increased scrutiny of the platform.
March 2023: TikTok Announces Default Screen Time Limits for Users Under 18
In March 2023, TikTok announced default screen time limits for users under the age of 18.
March 2023: TikTok Announces Default Screen Time Limits
In March 2023, TikTok announced default screen time limits for users under the age of 18. Those under the age of 13 would need a passcode from their parents to extend their time.
March 2023: TikTok Introduces Dedicated STEM Content Feed
In March 2023, TikTok introduced a dedicated feed for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content, partnering with Common Sense Networks and the Poynter Institute for safety and reliability.
March 2023: Concerns over Project Texas
In March 2023, a former employee stated that Project Texas did not go far enough and that a complete "re-engineering" would be needed. TikTok responded that Project Texas already is a re-engineering of the app. Former employees had different takes on the situation.
April 2023: ICO Imposes Fine on TikTok for Misusing Children's Data
In April 2023, the ICO imposed a £12.7 million fine on TikTok for misusing children's data.
May 2023: Complaints About TikTok Tracking LGBT-Related Content Viewers
In May 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that former employees complained about TikTok tracking users who had viewed LGBT-related content. The company said its algorithm tracks interests not identity, and non-LGBT users also view such content.
May 2023: Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Alleges Data Access by Chinese Communist Party
In May 2023, a former ByteDance employee filed a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging that in 2018 the Chinese Communist Party members accessed Hong Kong users' device information and communications, especially those of demonstrators in the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests. ByteDance denied the claims.
June 2023: TikTok Deletes Accounts and Videos Associated with Criminal Gangs in Cooperation with New Zealand and Australian Police
In June 2023, The New Zealand Herald reported that TikTok, working in cooperation with both New Zealand and Australian police, deleted 340 accounts and 2,000 videos associated with criminal gangs. A TikTok spokesperson reiterated the platform's efforts to countering "violent" and "hateful" organizations' content and cooperating with police.
June 2023: TikTok Confirms Storage of American Content Creator Financial Information in China
In June 2023, TikTok confirmed that some financial information, such as tax forms and Social Security numbers, of American content creators are stored in China if they sign contracts with ByteDance and receive payments from them.
July 2023: TikTok becomes primary news source for British teenagers
By July 2023, TikTok has become the primary news source for British teenagers on social media, with 28% of 12 to 15-year-olds relying on the platform, while traditional sources like BBC One/Two are more trusted at 82%, according to a report by UK regulator Ofcom.
September 2023: Ireland DPC Fines TikTok for GDPR Violations
In September 2023, the DPC fined TikTok €345 million for violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) vis-à-vis the mishandling of children's data.
September 2023: Former ByteDance employees file complaint against TikTok for retaliation.
In September 2023, two former ByteDance employees filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) asking the EEOC to investigate TikTok's practice of retaliation against workers who complain about discrimination.
November 2023: Osama bin Laden's letter goes viral on TikTok
In November 2023, Osama bin Laden's 2002 "Letter to the American people" went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, leading to takedowns of videos featuring the letter. The letter denounced the U.S. and its support for Israel.
November 2023: Singaporean Minister K. Shanmugam seeks information on users spreading defamation
In November 2023, Singaporean Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam applied for court orders requiring TikTok to provide information on the identity of three users that he accuses of spreading false and defamatory information about him.
December 2023: BBC reports discovery of fake TikTok accounts promoting Russian propaganda
In December 2023, BBC News reported that it had discovered nearly 800 fake TikTok accounts promoting Russian propaganda and disinformation. TikTok's own investigation found more than 12,000 fake accounts.
December 2023: TikTok Invests in Tokopedia
In December 2023, TikTok invested $1.5 billion in GoTo's Indonesian e-commerce business, Tokopedia, expanding its presence in the e-commerce sector.
December 2023: NCRI study suggests content on TikTok may be amplified or suppressed based on alignment with Chinese government interests
In December 2023, a study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) found a "strong possibility that content on TikTok is either amplified or suppressed based on its alignment with the interests of the Chinese government."
December 2023: Australian Inquiry into TikTok's Data Harvesting
In December 2023, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner announced an inquiry into TikTok's data harvesting of Australian citizens amid allegations that it contravened Australian privacy law.
December 2023: House Committee Inquires FBI About TikTok Surveillance Investigation
In December 2023, the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party inquired the FBI about the status of the investigation into ByteDance's surveillance of journalists on TikTok.
2023: Influencers Face Union Restrictions During SAG-AFTRA Strike
During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, influencers were told they would be denied future entry into the union if they partnered with struck studios, leading many to halt content creation. This sparked criticism for those who continued.
2023: Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam" Enters Radio 1 Playlist
In 2023, Kylie Minogue's song "Padam Padam" entered the Radio 1 playlist after being shared by Gen Z on TikTok, despite many youth radio stations initially refusing to play it.
2023: TikTok's Sponsorship Ends
In 2023, TikTok's partnership with Wrexham A.F.C. concluded after the club was promoted to EFL League Two; United Airlines then took over the sponsorship.
2023: Internet Governance Project concludes TikTok is not exporting censorship
In 2023, a paper by the Internet Governance Project at Georgia Institute of Technology concluded that TikTok is "not exporting censorship, either directly by blocking material, or indirectly via its recommendation algorithm."
2023: Share of U.S. adults who regularly get news from TikTok hit 14%
In 2023, the share of U.S. adults who regularly get news from TikTok hit 14%.
January 2024: Universal Music Group Removes Music From TikTok
In January 2024, Universal Music Group decided against renewing its licensing agreement with TikTok due to a dispute over artist payouts and AI-generated content regulation. This resulted in the removal of its 3 million recordings from the platform after January 31, 2024.
February 2024: European Commission Investigates TikTok for DSA Violations
In February 2024, the European Commission launched an investigation into TikTok for potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), involving content aimed at children and advertising transparency.
February 2024: Biden Campaign Opens TikTok Account
In February 2024, the re-election campaign for U.S. President Joe Biden announced that it had opened a TikTok account while taking "advanced safety precautions", leading to criticism over security concerns.
March 2024: TikTok Reportedly Loses Billions Annually
In March 2024, The Information reported that it is an open secret among investors that TikTok loses billions of dollars annually, raising concerns about its financial sustainability.
March 2024: TikTok's Growth in the U.S. Stagnates
In March 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that TikTok's growth in the U.S. had stagnated, indicating a potential slowdown in user acquisition.
March 2024: Universal Music Publishing Group Removes Catalogue From TikTok
In March 2024, Universal Music Publishing Group removed its catalogue of 4 million compositions from TikTok.
March 2024: FTC Continues Investigation into TikTok
In March 2024, it was reported that the FTC continues to investigate TikTok.
March 2024: Italian Authority Fines TikTok for Harmful Content
In March 2024, the Italian Competition Authority fined TikTok €10 million for not protecting underage users adequately from harmful content, such as the "French scar" challenge.
March 2024: U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill to Ban TikTok
On 13 March 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 7521, which would ban TikTok completely unless it is divested from ByteDance.
April 2024: Taylor Swift's Music Returns to TikTok
In April 2024, Taylor Swift's music returned to the TikTok platform.
April 2024: TikTok Announces New Photo Sharing App: TikTok Notes
In April 2024, TikTok users started receiving notifications that their current and future picture posts would be shown on a new app called TikTok Notes, intended as a direct competitor to Instagram for photo sharing. On 18 April, Notes first released to users in Canada and Australia for limited testing.
April 2024: Improbable claims by Zen Goziker
In April 2024, it was discovered that former employee Zen Goziker—allegedly the source of various leaks about TikTok to The Washington Post, Forbes, and Buzzfeed News—had made improbable claims. He has also spoken with law enforcement agencies and lawmakers hostile to TikTok. He has accused not only his former employer but also the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of Homeland Security for getting him fired.
April 2024: European Commission Opens Second Investigation into TikTok
In April 2024, the European Commission opened a second investigation into TikTok to assess whether it broke EU law.
April 2024: Senate Passes Foreign Aid Package with Modified TikTok Ban Bill
In April 2024, the House of Representatives included a modified version of the bill in a foreign aid package which was passed by the Senate on 23 April 2024, and signed the next day by Biden.
May 2024: Nebraska Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against TikTok
In May 2024, the Nebraska Attorney General filed a lawsuit against TikTok for allegedly harming minors' mental health through its algorithm.
July 2024: Report reveals neo-Nazi network on TikTok promoted by algorithm
In July 2024, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue reported that an organized neo-Nazi TikTok network promoting neo-Nazi propaganda, including Europa: The Last Battle, was receiving millions of views and was having its content promoted by TikTok's algorithm.
August 2024: FTC and DOJ File Joint Lawsuit Against TikTok for Violating COPPA
In August 2024, the FTC and U.S. Department of Justice filed a joint lawsuit alleging violations of the 2019 consent decree.
August 2024: NCRI releases report on pro-China content on TikTok
In August 2024, the NCRI released a report based on user journey data from 24 accounts across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, finding that TikTok returned a higher percentage of positive, neutral, or irrelevant content related to human rights in China compared to other platforms when searching for keywords like "Uyghur", "Xinjiang", "Tibet", and "Tiananmen".
September 2024: TikTok removes clips of Hitler's speeches after report
In September 2024, Sky News reported that clips of Adolf Hitler's speeches with added music were attracting high levels of engagement on TikTok. Although they were removed by TikTok after the report, mixing audio remains an effective way to evade content moderation on many platforms.
September 2024: TikTok removes accounts of Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik
In September 2024, TikTok removed the accounts of Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik.
October 2024: U.S. Senators Request Documents Related to Child Safety Disclosures from TikTok
In October 2024, U.S. senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn requested that TikTok turn over "all documents and information" related to child safety disclosures.
October 2024: European Commission Requests Additional Information from TikTok
In October 2024, the European Commission requested additional information from TikTok relating to its algorithm and risks around elections, mental health, and protection of minors.
November 6, 2024: Canada Orders TikTok to Shut Down Offices
On November 6, 2024, Canada ordered TikTok to shut down its offices and subsidiary company (TikTok Technology Canada, Inc.) in the country due to national security concerns.
November 2024: Deadly Incident Leads to Albanian Government Announcing TikTok Shutdown
In November 2024, a deadly incident in Albania in which a teenager fatally stabbed another teen after a dispute that began on the platform led the Albanian government to announce the shutdown of TikTok.
December 2024: European Commission Investigates TikTok Over Russian Interference
In December 2024, the European Commission announced an investigation into TikTok over accusations of Russian interference in the 2024 Romanian presidential election.
December 2024: Albanian Government Announces TikTok Shutdown in 2025
On 21 December 2024, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the Albanian government will shut down TikTok in 2025 for at least a year, following a deadly incident in November.
December 30, 2024: Venezuela's Supreme Court Fines TikTok Over Viral Challenges
On December 30, 2024, Venezuela's Supreme Court fined TikTok $10 million over viral challenges that authorities say led to the deaths of three children, citing TikTok's negligence in failing to implement "necessary and adequate measures" to prevent the viral video challenges.
2024: Director of National Intelligence threat assessment
A 2024 unclassified threat assessment by the Director of National Intelligence said that "TikTok accounts run by a [Chinese] propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates" during the 2022 United States elections.
2024: TikTok partners with Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Team GB
In 2024 TikTok partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to support small Latino businesses, setting aside $5000 each for 40 grant recipients based on entrepreneurship. After digital advertising rules for the Olympics were relaxed, TikTok and Team GB signed a sponsorship deal to help UK athletes connect with new audiences for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
January 2025: Chinese Officials Consider Selling TikTok's U.S. Operations
In January 2025, Chinese officials began preliminary talks about potentially selling TikTok's U.S. operations to Elon Musk if the app faced an impending ban due to national security concerns.
January 2025: TikTok becomes unavailable in the U.S. before restoring access
On 18 January 2025, hours before the bill went into effect, TikTok became unavailable across the country. The next day, TikTok restored access to their service after re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump assured TikTok he would not enforce the law.
March 2025: ICO Opens Another Investigation into TikTok
In March 2025, the ICO opened another investigation into TikTok concerning its use of children's personal information to recommend content to them.
March 2025: Albania Officially Enacts TikTok Shutdown
On 7 March 2025, the shutdown of TikTok was officially enacted in Albania after the Albanian Cabinet cited concerns over the app's role in promoting violence and bullying among children.
April 2025: President Trump further delays the enforcement of the TikTok ban
In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed another executive order further delaying the enforcement of the TikTok ban by 75 days.
April 2025: Ireland DPC fines TikTok over Illegal Data Transfer
In April 2025, the Ireland DPC fined TikTok over €500 million for illegally sending European user data to China.
2025: Investigation Finds TikTok Profiting from Sexual Livestreams in Kenya Involving Minors
An investigation in 2025 found that TikTok was profiting from sexual livestreams in Kenya involving minors, with teenagers as young as 15 using the platform to solicit explicit content.
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