Full History Of TikTok In Timeline From 2002

2002: Osama bin Laden's letter

In 2002, Osama bin Laden wrote a "Letter to the American people" denouncing the U.S. and its support for Israel. The letter resurfaced and went viral on TikTok in November 2023.

2010: TikTok Ranked Among Top Apps of the Decade

In 2019, media outlets cited TikTok as the 7th-most-downloaded mobile app of the decade, from 2010 to 2019.

August 2014: Musical.ly Initially Released

In August 2014, Musical.ly, which was later acquired by ByteDance, was initially released as a social media video platform.

September 2016: Douyin Launched as A.me

In September 2016, ByteDance launched Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, originally under the name A.me.

December 2016: Douyin Rebrands

In December 2016, A.me rebranded to Douyin (抖音).

2016: Russia interfered in the 2016 US elections

In 2016, Russia had interfered in the US elections using Facebook without owning it.

2016: Fitz and the Tantrums gain following in South Korea

In 2016, the band Fitz and the Tantrums developed a large following in South Korea following the popularity of their song "HandClap" on TikTok, despite never having toured in Asia.

September 2017: TikTok Launched 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 acquired Musical.ly for nearly $1 billion.

2017: China's National Intelligence Law Raises Concerns Over Data Access

In 2017, China's National Intelligence Law, requiring organizations and citizens to cooperate with national intelligence efforts, raised concerns about potential Chinese government access to TikTok user data.

2017: CFIUS Investigates TikTok's Merger with Musical.ly

Since at least 2020, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has been investigating TikTok's 2017 merger with Musical.ly.

January 2018: TikTok Ranks First in App Store Downloads

On 23 January 2018, the TikTok app ranked first among free application downloads on app stores in Thailand and other countries.

April 2018: Addiction-Reduction Feature Added to Douyin

In April 2018, an addiction-reduction feature was added to Douyin, encouraging users to take a break every 90 minutes.

August 2018: TikTok Merges with Musical.ly

On 2 August 2018, TikTok merged with Musical.ly, consolidating existing accounts and data into one app under the TikTok name.

August 2018: musical.ly merges with TikTok

On August 2, 2018, musical.ly merged with TikTok, leading to the rise of many stars who got their start on musical.ly.

October 2018: TikTok Becomes Most Downloaded App in the U.S.

In October 2018, after merging with musical.ly, TikTok became the most downloaded app in the U.S.

2018: Alleged Access to Hong Kong Users' Data

In 2018, Hong Kong users' device information and communications, particularly those of demonstrators in the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, were allegedly accessed by Chinese Communist Party members.

2018: TikTok Downloads on Apple's App Store

In 2018, TikTok was downloaded over 104 million times on Apple's App Store, as reported by Sensor Tower.

2018: Bullying and Trolling on TikTok

In 2018, Vox noted that bullies and trolls were relatively rare on TikTok compared to other platforms, however, some users still reported cyberbullying.

2018: Celebrities Begin Using TikTok

In 2018, celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Tony Hawk started using TikTok, increasing its popularity in the United States.

January 2019: TikTok Allows Merchandise Sale Links

In January 2019, TikTok enabled creators to embed merchandise sale links into their videos, enhancing e-commerce capabilities.

February 2019: TikTok and Douyin Hit 1 Billion Downloads

In February 2019, TikTok, along with Douyin, reached one billion downloads globally, excluding Android installs in China.

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) fined ByteDance U.S.$5.7 million for collecting information from minors in violation of COPPA.

May 2019: Chipotle Partners with David Dobrik

In May 2019, Chipotle partnered with David Dobrik for branded content campaigns on TikTok.

August 2019: Popular celebrities on Douyin

As of August 2019, popular celebrities on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, included Dilraba Dilmurat, Angelababy, Luo Zhixiang, Ouyang Nana, and Pan Changjiang.

September 2019: TikTok Partners with NFL

On 3 September 2019, TikTok and the U.S. National Football League (NFL) announced a multi-year partnership.

October 2019: TikTok Removed 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: Hong Kong Protests

During the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, Hong Kong users' device information and communications were allegedly accessed by Chinese Communist Party members.

2019: TikTok Censored Videos on Topics Disfavored by China

In 2019, The Guardian reported that TikTok had censored videos on topics not favored by the Chinese government. Also in 2019, TikTok took down a video about human rights abuses in the Xinjiang internment camps against Uyghurs but restored it after 50 minutes, saying that the action was a mistake.

2019: #EduTok Mentorship Program Launched in India

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 a hit on TikTok

In 2019, TikTok played a major part in making "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X one of the biggest songs and the longest-running number-one song in the history of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

January 2020: Vulnerability Discovered and Patched

In January 2020, Check Point Research discovered a vulnerability allowing hackers to spoof TikTok's SMS messages. TikTok patched the vulnerability.

January 2020: TikTok Hosted Misinformation Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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: US Army and Navy ban TikTok

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" to allow parents to control their children's activity on the app.

March 2020: Charli D'Amelio becomes most-followed individual on TikTok

On March 25, 2020, Charli D'Amelio surpassed Loren Gray as the most-followed individual on TikTok, reaching 41.3 million followers.

April 2020: TikTok Surpasses 2 Billion Downloads

In April 2020, TikTok reached a major milestone by surpassing two billion mobile downloads worldwide, solidifying its position as a leading social media platform.

April 2020: Government of India Asked TikTok to Remove Misinformation Related to COVID-19

In April 2020, the government of India asked TikTok to remove users posting misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2020: Complaint Filed Against TikTok for Violating COPPA Consent Decree

In May 2020, an advocacy group filed a complaint with the FTC claiming that TikTok had violated the terms of the February 2019 consent decree with the FTC.

June 2020: Conspiracy Theories Became Popular on TikTok

By June 2020, conspiracy theories such as Pizzagate and QAnon had reached almost 80 million views and 50 million views respectively.

June 2020: TikTok users and K-pop fans register for Trump's campaign 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 through communication on TikTok, contributing to rows of empty seats at the event.

July 2020: TikTok Reaches 800 Million Monthly Active Users

In July 2020, TikTok reported nearly 800 million monthly active users worldwide, marking significant growth in less than four years.

August 2020: "Ode to Remy" goes viral

In August 2020, Emily Jacobssen's "Ode to Remy", a song praising the protagonist from Pixar's Ratatouille, rose to popularity after Daniel Mertzlufft composed a backing track, leading to a "crowdsourced" project called Ratatouille the Musical.

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, violating Google's policies.

August 2020: Trump orders ban on TikTok transactions

In 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, later issuing another order giving ByteDance 90 days to sell or spin off its U.S. TikTok business.

August 2020: Kevin A. Mayer Resigns

On 27 August 2020, Kevin A. Mayer resigned from his position at TikTok.

September 2020: Dunkin' Donuts Partners with Charli D'Amelio

In September 2020, Dunkin' Donuts partnered with Charli D'Amelio for branded content campaigns on TikTok.

September 2020: TikTok Expands Parental Controls 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: ByteDance and Oracle Confirm Deal

In September 2020, a deal was confirmed between ByteDance and Oracle in which the latter will serve as a partner to provide cloud hosting for TikTok.

October 2020: Shopify Integrates TikTok for E-commerce

In October 2020, Shopify added TikTok to its portfolio of social media platforms, allowing online merchants to sell their products directly to consumers on TikTok.

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.

November 2020: TikTok Signs Licensing Deal with Sony Music

In November 2020, TikTok signed a licensing deal with Sony Music.

December 2020: Warner Music Group Signs Licensing Deal with TikTok

In December 2020, Warner Music Group signed a licensing deal with TikTok.

2020: CIA analysts determine there was no evidence the Chinese government could obtain user information

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 the app, there was no evidence it had done so.

2020: Charli D'Amelio makes #NoseJobCheck video

In 2020, Charli D'Amelio 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

In 2020, Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" was used in a skating video and a recreation by Mick Fleetwood, causing the song to re-enter the Billboard Hot 100 after 43 years and top Apple Music.

2020: Recognition of TikTok's Advanced Algorithm

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

In 2020, TikTok food trends gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with users sharing diets, recipes, and step-by-step videos of easy and popular recipes, often referred to as "FoodTok."

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 banned in India

In 2020, TikTok was banned indefinitely in India following a border clash with China.

2020: CFIUS Investigates TikTok Merger

Since at least 2020, following calls to ban TikTok, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has been investigating TikTok's 2017 merger with Musical.ly.

2020: TikTok Downplays China Connection

Starting in 2020, TikTok has downplayed its connection to China, stating that its US-based CEO is responsible for making important decisions.

2020: TikTok Pulled Out of Hong Kong

TikTok was pulled out of Hong Kong in 2020.

January 2021: #NoseJobCheck trend goes viral

By January 2021, the hashtag #nosejob had accumulated 1.6 billion views, #nosejobcheck had accumulated 1 billion views, and the audio used in the #NoseJobCheck trend had been used in 120,000 videos.

January 2021: United Arab Emirates Government Media Office partnered with TikTok

In January 2021, TikTok partnered with the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office for a winter campaign.

January 2021: Ratatouille the Musical premieres

On January 1, 2021, a full one-hour virtual presentation of Ratatouille the Musical premiered on TodayTix, starring Titus Burgess as Remy and other notable actors.

January 2021: Italian Data Protection Authority Demanded TikTok Suspend Italian Users

On January 22 2021, the Italian Data Protection Authority demanded that TikTok temporarily suspend Italian users whose age could not be established. The order came after the death of a 10-year-old Sicilian girl involved in an Internet challenge.

February 2021: Five plastic surgeons surpass 1 million followers on TikTok

By February 2021, five different plastic surgeons had surpassed 1 million followers on the TikTok platform.

March 2021: Citizen Lab Study Finds TikTok Data Collection Within Industry Norms

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.

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: Shou Zi Chew Appointed as TikTok CEO

In May 2021, TikTok appointed Shou Zi Chew as its new CEO, succeeding interim CEO Vanessa Pappas.

June 2021: TikTok Apologized After a Shock Video Went Viral

In June 2021, TikTok made 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.

June 2021: TikTok Updates Privacy Policy to Include Potential Collection of 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: Biden revokes Trump's ban on TikTok

In June 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking the Trump administration ban on TikTok, instead ordering an investigation into potential national security threats.

July 2021: TikTok Fined for Privacy Violations and Implements New Safety Measures

In July 2021, the Dutch Data Protection Authority fined TikTok €750,000 for offering privacy statements only in English. At the same time, TikTok implemented safety measures, such as raising the minimum age for livestreaming from 16 to 18 after a BBC News investigation.

September 2021: TikTok Reaches 1 Billion Users

In September 2021, TikTok reported reaching 1 billion users, marking a significant milestone.

September 2021: Ireland DPC Launches Investigations into TikTok

In September 2021, the Ireland Data Protection Commission (DPC) began investigating TikTok concerning the protection of minors' data and transfers of personal data to China.

October 2021: TikTok Launches Creator Tipping Feature

In October 2021, TikTok launched a test feature allowing users to directly tip certain creators meeting specific criteria.

October 2021: US Lawmakers Press TikTok on Data Privacy and Chinese Government Access

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 about plastic surgeons on TikTok

In December 2021, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery published an article about the popularity of plastic surgeons on TikTok.

December 2021: TikTok Beta-Tests Live Studio

In December 2021, TikTok began beta-testing Live Studio, a streaming software for broadcasting applications open on computers, including games.

2021: TikTok Ranked Most Popular Website

In 2021, Cloudflare ranked TikTok as the most popular website, surpassing Google, demonstrating its significant growth and dominance in online traffic.

2021: Snapchat Pays Creators

In 2021, Snapchat paid out $250 million to its creators in response to competition from TikTok.

2021: Highlight of TikTok's Superior Understanding of Users

In 2021, The Wall Street Journal highlighted TikTok's superiority over other social media platforms in understanding users' preferences and emotions through its algorithm.

2021: Introduction of Bedtime Notifications for Teenagers

In 2021, TikTok announced a feature to prevent teenagers from receiving notifications past their bedtime, aiming to reduce late-night app usage.

2021: TikTok's Project Texas Initiative

In 2021, TikTok initiated Project Texas in response to U.S. government security concerns. This project aimed to silo user data within the U.S. under government oversight, focusing on unauthorized access, state influence, and software security. A new subsidiary, TikTok U.S. Data Security Inc. (USDS), was created to manage user data and report to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

2021: Israeli Defense Force recruits influencers on TikTok

In 2021, the Israeli Defense Force actively recruits influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms.

2021: BookTok drives sales of literature

In 2021, viral TikTok videos tagged with "BookTok" significantly drove sales of literature, leading publishers to use the platform for influencer marketing.

2021: TikTok Creates Election Centers for European Parliament Elections

Since 2021, TikTok has created "election centres" on its platform leading up to European Parliament elections to help dispel misinformation.

2021: Reports of "Rabbit Holes" of Harmful Content

Since 2021, reports indicate that accounts engaging with contents related to suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders were shown more similar videos, leading to concerns about "rabbit holes" of harmful content.

2021: TikTok became the primary sponsor/partner of the English Football League club Wrexham A.F.C.

Starting in 2021, TikTok became the primary sponsor/partner of the English Football League club Wrexham A.F.C.

February 2022: Texas Attorney General Investigates TikTok for Child Privacy and Human Trafficking

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 About Sexualized TikTok Videos and Teen Mental Health

In February 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported increasing concern among mental-health professionals about the effects on teen girls of posting sexualized TikTok videos.

March 2022: Meta Paid Firm to Campaign Against TikTok

In March 2022, The Washington Post reported that Meta Platforms paid Targeted Victory to coordinate lobbying and media campaigns against TikTok.

March 2022: TikTok Settles Class Action Lawsuit for COPPA Violations

In March 2022, TikTok settled a class action lawsuit for US$1.1 million due to violations of COPPA.

March 2022: U.S. State Attorneys General Investigate 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: Restrictions on Russian and Non-Russian Posts and Livestreams

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.

April 2022: Surgeons offer discounted or free cosmetic surgeries to influencers

In April 2022, NBC News reported that surgeons were giving influencers on TikTok discounted or free cosmetic surgeries in order to advertise the procedures to their audiences.

June 2022: Reports of Chinese Employees Accessing Overseas Data Prompt Investigation Calls

In June 2022, BuzzFeed News reported that leaked audio recordings revealed employees in China had access to overseas data. Following the reports, TikTok confirmed that employees in China could have access to U.S. data.

June 2022: FCC Commissioner Calls for Removal of TikTok from App Stores

In June 2022, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called for Google and Apple to remove TikTok from their app stores.

June 2022: TikTok Introduces Screen Time Controls

In June 2022, TikTok introduced features to set maximum uninterrupted screen time allowances, along with a dashboard displaying statistics on app usage.

June 2022: Undisclosed Ads on TikTok

In June 2022, it was reported that some influencers paid by FeetFinder did not disclose their videos were ads. Other TikTok creators spoke out against accepting sponsorship deals indiscriminately.

June 2022: Khaby Lame surpasses Charli D'Amelio as most-followed individual on TikTok

On June 23, 2022, Khaby Lame surpassed Charli D'Amelio as the most-followed individual on the TikTok platform.

August 2022: Discovery of Keylogger Code in In-App Browsers

In August 2022, Felix Krause found that in-app browsers from TikTok contained codes for keylogger functionality, but whether data was tracked or recorded was not determined. TikTok claimed the code was disabled.

September 2022: NewsGuard Technologies Reported Misinformation Surfaced on TikTok 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 Surveillance of U.S. Citizens

In October 2022, Forbes reported that ByteDance planned to surveil certain U.S. citizens. TikTok denied the feasibility of the tracking method described.

October 2022: TikTok Plans Expansion into US E-commerce

In October 2022, reports indicated TikTok's plans to expand into the e-commerce market in the U.S., following the launch of TikTok Shop in the UK.

November 2022: Australia Reports Ozempic Shortage Due to Off-Label Use

In November 2022, Australia's medical regulatory agency reported a global shortage of the diabetes medication Ozempic, caused by an increase in off-label prescription for weight loss.

November 2022: FBI Director Warns of Potential Chinese Government Influence Operations via TikTok

In November 2022, Christopher A. Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said the Chinese government could use TikTok for 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

In December 2022, ByteDance confirmed that employees from China and the United States accessed the data of two journalists and their close contacts in an attempt to uncover sources of leaks. Four employees were fired in response.

December 2022: TikTok banned from House of Representatives devices

In December 2022, TikTok was banned from all devices managed by the United States House of Representatives, and President Joe Biden signed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act.

December 2022: Buccal fat removal goes viral on TikTok

In December 2022, it was reported that a cosmetic surgery procedure known as buccal fat removal was going viral on TikTok, amassing over 180 million views with related hashtags.

December 2022: Cosmetic Surgery Promotion and "De-Influencing" Trend on TikTok

In December 2022, it was reported that some TikTok influencers were receiving free cosmetic surgeries to advertise them. Also in 2022, the "de-influencing" trend emerged, with creators criticizing products promoted by influencers.

December 2022: Ozempic Shortage in the US Due to TikTok Weight Loss Trend

In December 2022, the United States also experienced a shortage of Ozempic, with the increased demand attributed to a weight loss trend on TikTok.

2022: Instagram Invests in Reels

As of 2022, Instagram spent $120 million to entice more content creators to its Reels service in response to competition from TikTok.

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 Accounts Targeted Candidates During US Elections

During the 2022 United States elections, "TikTok accounts run by a [Chinese] propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates".

2022: TikTok Bans Fundraising for Political Accounts

In 2022 TikTok banned fundraising for political accounts.

2022: Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" goes viral

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: Turkey Probes TikTok for Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing

In 2022, Turkey's Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) began investigating TikTok in relation to fund transfers suspected of money laundering or terrorism financing.

2022: Qatari teenage royal becomes an Internet celebrity

In 2022, a Qatari teenage royal became an Internet celebrity on Douyin after his angry expressions were recorded in Qatar's opening match loss to Ecuador.

2022: Employee Leaves Before Project Texas Finalization

In 2022, a former employee left TikTok before the specifications for Project Texas were finalized, later criticizing the project in March 2023. During this time, there were differing accounts from other former employees regarding data handling and separation between TikTok and ByteDance.

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: TikTok's "heating" tool for video promotion

In January 2023, Forbes reported that TikTok has a "heating" tool allowing manual promotion of certain videos, but its use has raised concerns about abuse and Chinese influence.

February 2023: States enact bans on TikTok

As of February 2023, at least 32 states have announced or enacted bans on state government agencies, employees, and contractors using TikTok on government-issued devices.

February 2023: Kia Challenge results in crashes and deaths

As of February 2023, the Kia Challenge, a TikTok trend involving stealing certain models of Kia and Hyundai cars, had resulted in at least 14 crashes and eight deaths according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

February 2023: Otzma Yehudit politician advocated blocking TikTok

In February 2023, Otzma Yehudit politician Almog Cohen advocated blocking TikTok for all of East Jerusalem, citing concerns over Palestinian content.

February 2023: Canadian Privacy Commissioners Launch Investigation into TikTok

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 Advertising Grows in the US

According to data from app analytics group Sensor Tower, advertising on TikTok in the U.S. grew by 11% in March 2023.

March 2023: TikTok Hosted Videos Promoting Neo-Nazi Propaganda

In March 2023, The Jewish Chronicle reported that TikTok still hosted videos that promoted the neo-Nazi propaganda film Europa: The Last Battle, despite having been alerted to the issue four months prior. TikTok said it removed and would continue to remove the content and associated accounts and has blocked the search term as well.

March 2023: Silicon Valley Executives Build "Anti-China Alliance"

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.

March 2023: TikTok Announces Default Screen Time Limits for Minors

In March 2023, TikTok announced default screen time limits for users under the age of 18.

March 2023: TikTok Announced Default Screen Time Limits for Users Under 18

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 feed

In March 2023, TikTok introduced a dedicated feed for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content, working with Common Sense Networks and the Poynter Institute for safety and reliability.

March 2023: Project Texas Under Scrutiny

In March 2023, a former employee claimed that Project Texas did not go far enough and a complete "re-engineering" would be needed. TikTok responded, stating the project was already a re-engineering of the app. Other former employees also shared different perspectives on the data separation and collection practices.

April 2023: ICO Fines 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: Allegations of TikTok Tracking Users Who Viewed LGBT-Related Content

In May 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that former employees complained about TikTok tracking users who had viewed LGBT-related content.

May 2023: Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Alleges Chinese Communist Party Access to Hong Kong Users' Data

In May 2023, a former ByteDance employee filed a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging that Hong Kong users' device information and communications were accessed by Chinese Communist Party members.

June 2023: TikTok deletes accounts and videos associated with criminal gangs

In June 2023, The New Zealand Herald reported that TikTok, in cooperation with New Zealand and Australian police, deleted 340 accounts and 2,000 videos associated with criminal gangs.

June 2023: TikTok Confirms Storage of American Content Creators' Financial Information in China

In June 2023, TikTok confirmed that some financial information of American content creators is stored in China.

July 2023: TikTok as 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.

July 2023: Douyin Experts to Meet Iranian Business in Tehran

In July 2023, Iranian Mehr News Agency reported "experts from Douyin" will meet Iranian business in Tehran to enable Iranian exports to China.

July 2023: TikTok launches TikTok Music

In July 2023, TikTok launched a new streaming service called TikTok Music, available initially in Brazil and Indonesia, and later expanded to Australia, Mexico and Singapore. The service lets users listen to, download, and share songs and features music from major record companies.

September 2023: DPC Fines TikTok for GDPR Violations

In September 2023, the Irish DPC fined TikTok €345 million for mishandling children's data in violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

September 2023: EEOC Complaint Filed Against TikTok for Retaliation

In September 2023, two former ByteDance employees filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging retaliation against workers who complain about discrimination.

November 2023: Osama bin Laden's letter went viral

In November 2023, Osama bin Laden's 2002 "Letter to the American people" went viral on TikTok and other social media, leading to both support and criticism and eventual removal of the letter from The Guardian's website and takedowns on TikTok.

November 2023: Singaporean Minister Applied for Court Orders Against TikTok Users

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: 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.

December 2023: TikTok Invests in GoTo's Tokopedia

In December 2023, TikTok invested $1.5 billion in GoTo's Indonesian e-commerce business, Tokopedia.

December 2023: Study Suggests Content on TikTok is 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: U.S. House Committee Inquires About Journalist Surveillance Case

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 ByteDance investigation regarding the surveillance of journalists on TikTok.

2023: Influencers face SAG-AFTRA strike consequences

During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, influencers were told that they would be denied future entry into the union if they partnered with struck studios, leading many to stop creating new content.

2023: Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam" becomes popular on TikTok

In 2023, Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam" entered the Radio 1 playlist after being shared by Gen Z on TikTok.

2023: Study Concludes TikTok 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: Antisemitism was "rampant"

In 2023, after the Hamas-led attack on Israel, The Times of Israel reported that antisemitism was "rampant" at TikTok, with anti-Jewish and anti-Israel content increasing on the platform.

2023: Share of U.S. Adults Regularly Getting News From TikTok

In 2023, the share of U.S. adults who regularly get news from TikTok hit 14%.

2023: The partnership ended when Wrexham was promoted

The partnership with Wrexham A.F.C. ended in 2023 when Wrexham was promoted to the EFL League Two.

January 2024: Universal Music Group removes its catalog from TikTok

In January 2024, Universal Music Group removed its catalog of 3 million recordings from TikTok after a dispute over artist payouts and AI-generated content regulation. This marked the first instance of the company withdrawing its music from a major platform.

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), particularly regarding content aimed at children and advertising transparency.

February 2024: Biden Campaign Launches TikTok Account Amid Security Concerns

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".

March 2024: Report of TikTok Losing Billions Annually

In March 2024, The Information reported that it is an open secret among investors that TikTok loses billions of dollars annually.

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.

March 2024: Universal Music Publishing Group removes its catalog from TikTok

In March 2024, Universal Music Publishing Group removed its catalogue of 4 million compositions from TikTok.

March 2024: FTC Continues Investigating TikTok

In March 2024, it was reported that the FTC continues to investigate TikTok's compliance with COPPA regulations.

March 2024: TikTok Fined by Italian Authority for Inadequate Protection of Underage Users

In March 2024, the Italian Competition Authority fined TikTok €10 million for not protecting underage users adequately from harmful content.

March 2024: House of Representatives passed H.R. 7521

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 TikTok Notes

In April 2024, TikTok users started receiving notifications about TikTok Notes, a new photo sharing app in development and meant to compete with Instagram.

April 2024: Former Employee Zen Goziker Makes Improbable Claims

In April 2024, it was discovered that former employee Zen Goziker—allegedly the source of various leaks about TikTok—had made improbable claims.

April 2024: Second European Commission 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 bill to ban TikTok

In April 2024, the Senate passed a modified version of the bill to ban TikTok as part of a foreign aid package, and it was signed into law by President Biden on 24 April.

May 2024: Nebraska Attorney General Sues TikTok for Harming Minors' Mental Health

In May 2024, the Nebraska Attorney General filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging harm to minors' mental health due to the platform's algorithm.

July 2024: Neo-Nazi TikTok Network Promoting Neo-Nazi Propaganda

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.

August 2024: FTC and DOJ File Joint Lawsuit Against TikTok

In August 2024, the FTC and U.S. Department of Justice filed a joint lawsuit against TikTok alleging violations of the 2019 consent decree related to COPPA.

August 2024: NCRI Report on Content Related to China on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube

In August 2024, the NCRI released a report that found that TikTok returned a higher percentage of positive, neutral, or irrelevant content related to human rights in China when searching for four keywords: Uyghur, Xinjiang, Tibet, and Tiananmen.

September 2024: Clips of Adolf Hitler's Speeches Attracted High Levels of Engagement on TikTok

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 Removed the Accounts of Russian State Media Outlets

In September 2024, TikTok removed the accounts of Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik.

October 2024: Senators Request Documents on Child Safety Disclosures

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 in the country due to national security concerns, but access to the app was not banned.

December 2024: European Commission Investigates TikTok Over Russian Interference Allegations

In December 2024, the European Commission announced an investigation into TikTok over accusations of Russian interference in the 2024 Romanian presidential election.

December 2024: Albania to shut down TikTok

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.

December 30, 2024: Venezuela Fines TikTok $10 Million Over Deadly 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.

2024: Director of National Intelligence Assesses TikTok as Potential Propaganda Tool

A 2024 unclassified threat assessment by the Director of National Intelligence said "TikTok accounts run by a [Chinese] propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates" during the 2022 United States elections.

2024: Partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

In 2024, TikTok partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to support small Latino businesses. It also signed a sponsorship deal with Team GB for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

January 2025: Talks Begin About 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, ahead of a Supreme Court case regarding a potential ban.

January 2025: TikTok restored access after re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump assured TikTok he would not enforce the law.

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. On 20 January 2025 President Donald Trump signed an executive order, delaying the enforcement of the TikTok ban by 75 days.

2025: Albanian government will shut down TikTok

In 2025, the Albanian government will shut down TikTok for at least a year, as announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama on 21 December 2024.

History of TikTok in Timeline