2002: Osama bin Laden releases "Letter to the American People"
In 2002, Osama bin Laden wrote and released "Letter to the American People" denouncing the U.S. and its support for Israel, supporting al-Qaeda's war against the U.S.
2007: Pixar's Ratatouille Film Release
In 2007, Pixar released the computer-animated film Ratatouille which then became a viral trend on TikTok in 2020.
2010: Kia and Hyundai Cars Vulnerable to Theft
Between 2010 and 2021, the Kia Challenge TikTok trend involved users stealing certain models of Kia and Hyundai cars manufactured without immobilizers, which was a standard feature at the time.
2010: TikTok 7th-Most-Downloaded Mobile App of the Decade
In 2019, media outlets cited TikTok as the 7th-most-downloaded mobile app of the decade, from 2010 to 2019, highlighting its significant impact in a relatively short time.
August 2014: Musical.ly Initially Released
In August 2014, Musical.ly, a social media video platform, was initially released allowing users to create 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 beginning of the platform's presence in the Chinese market.
December 2016: Douyin Rebrands
In December 2016, Douyin rebranded from A.me to Douyin (抖音), solidifying its identity in the Chinese market.
2016: "HandClap" Gains Popularity in South Korea Through TikTok
In 2016, the band Fitz and the Tantrums developed a large following in South Korea due to the widespread popularity of their song "HandClap" on TikTok, despite never having toured in Asia.
November 2017: ByteDance Acquires Musical.ly
On 9 November 2017, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly for nearly $1 billion, signaling a significant move to strengthen its position in the social media video market.
2017: China's National Intelligence Law
In 2017 concerns were raised about the potential control and influence of the Chinese government over TikTok's owner, ByteDance, in particular the extraterritorial implications of China's 2017 National Intelligence Law. An article in the law insists that all organizations and citizens shall "support, assist and cooperate with national intelligence efforts."
2017: CFIUS Investigates TikTok Merger
Since at least 2020, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has been investigating TikTok's 2017 merger with Musical.ly due to national security concerns.
January 2018: TikTok App Ranked First in Thailand
On 23 January 2018, the TikTok app ranked first among free application downloads on app stores in Thailand and other countries, demonstrating its growing global popularity.
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, which expanded TikTok's reach significantly.
August 2018: musical.ly Merges With TikTok
On August 2, 2018, musical.ly merged with TikTok, leading to the rise of many stars who had their start on musical.ly, including Loren Gray, Baby Ariel, Zach King, Lisa and Lena, and Jacob Sartorius.
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 Downloaded Over 104 Million Times on App Store
In 2018, TikTok was downloaded over 104 million times on Apple's App Store during the first half of the year, highlighting its growing popularity.
2018: Alleged Data Access by Chinese Communist Party Members
In 2018, a former ByteDance employee alleged in a wrongful termination lawsuit in May 2023, that Hong Kong users' device information and communications, particularly those of demonstrators in the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, were accessed by Chinese Communist Party members. ByteDance denied the claims.
2018: Celebrities Start Using TikTok
In 2018, celebrities such as Jimmy Fallon, Tony Hawk, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Will Smith, and Justin Bieber began using the TikTok app, helping to popularize the platform.
2018: Privacy Concerns and Underage Users
In 2018, concerns were raised regarding the potential for sexual predators to misuse information shared by underage TikTok users due to the platform's limited privacy settings. Comment sections on suggestive videos were also found to contain inappropriate requests.
January 2019: TikTok Allows Creators to Embed Merchandise Sale Links
In January 2019, TikTok allowed creators to embed merchandise sale links into their videos, enabling them to monetize their content more directly.
February 2019: TikTok and Douyin Hit One Billion Downloads Globally
In February 2019, TikTok, along with Douyin, reached one billion downloads globally, excluding Android installs in China, showcasing its massive user base.
August 2019: Celebrities on Douyin Gain Large Followings
As of August 2019, some celebrities who had garnered large followings 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, launching an official NFL TikTok account and creating new marketing opportunities.
October 2019: TikTok Removes ISIL Propaganda Accounts
In October 2019, TikTok removed about two dozen accounts that were responsible for posting ISIL propaganda and execution videos on the app.
2019: TikTok Censorship of Videos
In 2019, The Guardian reported that TikTok had censored videos of topics not favored by the Chinese government. That year, TikTok took down a video about human rights abuses in the Xinjiang internment camps against Uyghurs but restored it after 50 minutes as well as the creator's account, saying that the action was a mistake and triggered by a brief "satirical" image of Osama bin Laden in another post.
2019: #EduTok Mentorship Program Announced
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 significant role 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: TikTok Hosts COVID-19 Misinformation
In January 2020, Media Matters for America reported that TikTok hosted misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic despite a recent policy against misinformation.
January 2020: US Army and Navy ban TikTok on government devices
In January 2020, the United States Army and Navy banned TikTok on government devices. The Defense Department labeled the app 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 and restricted mode.
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 Gray being the first account to reach 40 million followers and D'Amelio being the first to reach 50, 60, and 70 million followers.
April 2020: TikTok Surpasses Two Billion Mobile Downloads
In April 2020, TikTok reached a significant milestone, surpassing two billion mobile downloads worldwide, marking its growing popularity and reach.
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.
June 2020: Conspiracy Theories Popular on TikTok
By June 2020, hashtags related to Pizzagate and QAnon (two conspiracy theories popular among the U.S. alt-right) had reached almost 80 million and 50 million views, respectively. The platform has also been used to spread misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic, such as clips from Plandemic.
June 2020: TikTok Users Impact Trump 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, excluding Douyin, reported close to 800 million monthly active users worldwide, showcasing its rapid growth in less than four years.
August 2020: Trump issues orders to ban TikTok transactions and forces ByteDance to sell US business
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 that month, he issued another order giving ByteDance 90 days to sell or spin off its U.S. TikTok business.
August 2020: Kevin A. Mayer Resigns as CEO
On 27 August 2020, Kevin A. Mayer resigned as CEO of TikTok.
August 2020: "Ode to Remy" Becomes Popular
On August 10, 2020, Emily Jacobssen wrote and sang "Ode to Remy", a song praising the protagonist from Pixar's 2007 computer-animated film Ratatouille. The song rose to popularity when musician Daniel Mertzlufft composed a backing track to the song, leading to the creation of a crowdsourced project called Ratatouille the Musical.
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. This collaboration was part of a trend where digital media companies brokered partnerships between larger brands and top TikTok influencers.
September 2020: TikTok Expands Parental Controls with Family Pairing
In September 2020, TikTok expanded its parental controls feature called "Family Pairing" to provide parents with educational resources in partnership with Internet Matters.
September 2020: ByteDance and Oracle Confirm Cloud Hosting 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, addressing data security concerns.
September 2020: TikTok Removes Suicide Video
TikTok has previously worked to remove graphic content from its platform, including the suicide video that was circulating in September 2020, which had appeared within the recommended clips of TikTok's For You section.
October 2020: Shopify Integration
In October 2020, Shopify added TikTok to its portfolio of social media platforms, enabling online merchants to sell products directly to consumers on TikTok. Some small businesses used TikTok to advertise and reach a wider audience.
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, the organization was renamed to Gen-Z for Change.
November 2020: TikTok Signs Licensing Deal with Sony Music
In November 2020, TikTok signed a licensing deal with Sony Music, expanding its music library and improving its 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 the platform's music catalog and enhancing the user experience.
2020: CIA analysts determine no evidence of Chinese government user data access
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, the most-followed person on TikTok at the time, 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" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 after 43 years and topped Apple Music, due to its use in a skating video and a recreation by Mick Fleetwood on TikTok.
2020: TikTok's Algorithm Recognized as One of the Most 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's US CEO Takes Responsibility for Important Decisions
In 2020, TikTok stated that its US-based CEO became responsible for making important decisions, downplaying the company's connection to China amid increasing scrutiny.
2020: TikTok Bans Content Promoting Premium Sexual Content
In 2020, TikTok updated their terms of service to ban content promoting "premium sexual content", which impacted a large number of adult content creators. They began substituting words and using filters to censor explicit images.
2020: CFIUS Investigates TikTok Merger
Since at least 2020, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has been investigating TikTok's 2017 merger with Musical.ly due to national security concerns.
2020: TikTok Food Trends Gain Popularity
TikTok food trends gained popularity in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people spent more time cooking at home while engaging with social media for entertainment.
January 2021: #NoseJobCheck Trend Goes Viral
By January 2021, a trend known as the #NoseJobCheck trend was going viral on TikTok. 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: UAE Government Media Office partners with TikTok for winter campaign
In January 2021, TikTok partnered with the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office for a winter campaign.
January 2021: TikTok Suspends Italian Users
In 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 during an Internet challenge. TikTok asked users in Italy to confirm they were over 13, and over 500,000 accounts were later removed for failing the age check.
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, Wayne Brady as Django, Adam Lambert as Emile, Kevin Chamberlin as Gusteau, Andrew Barth Feldman as Linguini, Ashley Park as Colette, Priscilla Lopez as Mabel, Mary Testa as Skinner, and André De Shields as Ego.
February 2021: Plastic Surgeons Surpass 1 Million Followers on TikTok
In February 2021, an article published stats about the most popular plastic surgeons on TikTok and at the time, five different plastic surgeons had surpassed 1 million followers on the 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 industry norms, its policy stated, or without additional user permission.
March 2021: Citizen Lab Study on TikTok Censorship
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: Shou Zi Chew Appointed TikTok CEO
In May 2021, TikTok appointed Shou Zi Chew as their new CEO, replacing interim CEO Vanessa Pappas.
June 2021: TikTok Apologizes After Shock Video Goes Viral
In June 2021, TikTok apologized 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 the potential collection of biometric data, including "faceprints and voiceprints", for special effects and other purposes, subject to user authorization where required by local law.
June 2021: Biden revokes Trump administration ban on TikTok
In June 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking the Trump administration's ban on TikTok. However, he also ordered the Secretary of Commerce to investigate the app for potential threats to U.S. national security.
July 2021: TikTok Fined for Privacy Statement Issues
In July 2021, the Dutch Data Protection Authority fined TikTok €750,000 for only offering privacy statements in English and not in Dutch. Also in July 2021, TikTok raised the minimum age for livestreaming from 16 to 18 after a BBC News investigation uncovered accounts showing children begging for digital donations.
September 2021: TikTok Reaches 1 Billion Users
In September 2021, TikTok reported that it had reached 1 billion users, marking a significant milestone in its growth.
October 2021: TikTok Launches Tipping Feature
In October 2021, TikTok launched a test feature that allowed users to directly tip certain creators who are of age and have at least 100,000 followers. Eligible users could activate a 'Tip' button on their profile, allowing followers to tip any amount starting from $1.
October 2021: Lawmakers Question TikTok on Data Privacy
In October 2021, following the 2021 Facebook leak and controversies about social media ethics, a bipartisan group of United States lawmakers also pressed TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat on questions of data privacy and moderation for age-appropriate content. Lawmakers also questioned whether consumer data could be turned over to the Chinese government through ByteDance.
December 2021: Article Published About Plastic Surgeons on TikTok
In December 2021, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, published an article about the popularity of some plastic surgeons on TikTok.
December 2021: TikTok Beta-Tests Live Studio
In December 2021, TikTok began beta-testing Live Studio, a streaming software that would let users broadcast applications open on their computers, including games. The software also launched with support for mobile and PC streaming.
2021: Kia and Hyundai Cars Vulnerable to Theft
Between 2010 and 2021, the Kia Challenge TikTok trend involved users stealing certain models of Kia and Hyundai cars manufactured without immobilizers, which was a standard feature at the time.
2021: TikTok Ranked Most Popular Website
In 2021, Cloudflare ranked TikTok as the most popular website, surpassing Google, highlighting TikTok's dominance in online traffic and user engagement.
2021: Snapchat Pays Out $250 Million to Creators
In 2021, Snapchat paid out $250 million to its creators, reflecting the competitive landscape driven by platforms like TikTok.
2021: BookTok Drives Literature Sales
In 2021, The New York Times reported that viral TikTok videos by young people under the tag "BookTok", which related to the emotional impact of books, significantly drove sales of literature. Publishers were increasingly using the platform for influencer marketing.
2021: TikTok's Algorithm Highlighted for Understanding User Preferences
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: TikTok introduces notification restrictions for teens
In 2021, TikTok announced it would introduce a feature to prevent teenagers from receiving notifications past their bedtime, specifically after 9 pm for users aged 13-15 and after 10 pm for those aged 16-17.
2021: Israeli Defense Force Recruits Influencers on TikTok
In 2021, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) actively recruited influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms. The IDF also awarded a TikTokker, who was one of its military police officers, for promoting Israel.
2021: TikTok Creates Election Centres
Since 2021, TikTok has created "election centres" on its platform leading up to European Parliament elections, with about 30% of EP lawmakers using TikTok to share messages and dispel misinformation.
March 2022: TikTok Restricts Russian Posts and Livestreams
After Russia installed new war censorship laws in March 2022, TikTok announced restrictions on Russian and non-Russian posts and livestreams. There was a likely technical glitch that became exploited by pro-Russia posters, and this contributed to the formation of a "splInternet ... dominated by pro-war content" in Russia.
March 2022: Meta Pays Consulting 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, without disclosing ties to Meta.
April 2022: Surgeons Offer Influencers Discounted Cosmetic Surgeries
In April 2022, NBC News reported that surgeons were giving influencers on the platform discounted or free cosmetic surgeries in order to advertise the procedures to their audiences.
May 2022: TikTok Announces TikTok Pulse
In May 2022, TikTok announced TikTok Pulse, an ad revenue-sharing program that covers the top 4% of all videos on TikTok and is available to creators with more than 100,000 followers. Eligible creators whose videos reach the top 4% receive 50% of the ad revenue.
June 2022: BuzzFeed News Reports on Chinese Employees' Access to Overseas Data
In June 2022, BuzzFeed News reported that leaked audio recordings of internal TikTok meetings revealed employees in China had access to overseas data, including a "master admin" who could see "everything". Consequently, the Senate Intelligence Committee called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate ByteDance. 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, citing concerns that sensitive data were being accessed from Beijing and that ByteDance would be required to comply with Chinese government surveillance demands.
June 2022: Undisclosed Advertisements on TikTok
In June 2022, NBC News reported that some influencers paid by FeetFinder, a website for selling foot fetish content, did not disclose that their videos were ads. Other TikTok creators criticized those posting undisclosed FeetFinder ads.
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.
September 2022: NewsGuard Technologies Report on Misinformation on TikTok
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: TikTok Plans E-Commerce Expansion in the US
In October 2022, reports surfaced about TikTok's plans to expand into the e-commerce market in the US, following the launch of TikTok Shop in the United Kingdom.
November 2022: Ozempic shortage linked to TikTok trend
In November 2022, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reported a global shortage of the diabetes medication Ozempic. The increased demand was attributed to off-label prescription for weight loss purposes.
November 2022: FBI Director Raises Concerns About Chinese Government Influence
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 Global Corporate Employees Can Access User Information
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: Cosmetic Surgeries Advertised by Influencers
In December 2022, NBC News reported that some TikTok and YouTube influencers were receiving free and discounted cosmetic surgeries in exchange for advertising the surgeries on their platforms.
December 2022: Buccal Fat Removal Trend Goes Viral
In December 2022, it was reported that a cosmetic surgery procedure known as buccal fat removal was going viral on TikTok. Videos using hashtags related to buccal fat removal had collectively amassed over 180 million views.
December 2022: US House of Representatives and President Biden ban TikTok on government devices
In December 2022, the Chief Administrative Officer of the United States House of Representatives banned TikTok from all devices managed by the House. Later that month, 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: TikTok weight loss trend causes Ozempic shortage in the U.S.
In December 2022, the United States was also experiencing a shortage of Ozempic. The demand for the medicine surged due to a weight loss trend on TikTok, where videos about the drug got over 360 million views. Wegovy, a drug approved for treating obesity, also became popular after Elon Musk credited it for helping him lose weight.
2022: TikTok aware of child exploitation on livestreams since at least 2022
An investigation in 2025 revealed that TikTok had been aware of child exploitation on sexual livestreams taking place on the platform since at least 2022. Teenagers as young as 15 were found to be using the platform to solicit explicit content, with TikTok taking a 70% cut of these livestream earnings.
2022: TikTok's User Base and Demographics in 2022
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. Out of TikTok's top 100 male creators, a 2022 analysis reported 67% were white, with 54% having near-perfect facial symmetry.
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 Hate Speech in Malaysia
Following the 2022 election, TikTok was used by some users in Malaysia to engage in hate speech against race and religion, particularly mentioning the 13 May incident. TikTok responded by removing videos that violated their community guidelines.
2022: TikTok Bans Political Fundraising
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 because of TikTok.
2022: Qatari Teenager Becomes an Internet Celebrity on Douyin
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a Qatari teenage royal became an Internet celebrity after his angry expressions were recorded in Qatar's opening match loss to Ecuador; he amassed more than 15 million followers in less than a week after creating a Douyin account.
2022: Biden Administration Briefs TikTokers on News
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 "heating" tool for manual video promotion
In January 2023, Forbes reported on TikTok's "heating" tool, which allows manual promotion of specific videos, representing a small percentage of daily views. The tool aimed to diversify content and influencers, as well as promote brands and organizations. However, there were concerns about employee abuse and overly broad guidelines. TikTok stated that only a few individuals in the U.S. can approve heating and that promoted videos make up a tiny portion of user feeds. The company is negotiating with CFIUS to restrict future heating to vetted security personnel in the U.S. and to implement third-party audits.
February 2023: States announce or enact bans on TikTok for government devices
As of February 2023, at least 32 out of 50 U.S. states had announced or enacted bans on state government agencies, employees, and contractors using TikTok on government-issued devices.
February 2023: Kia Challenge Consequences Reported
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: Politician advocates blocking TikTok for East Jerusalem
In February 2023, Otzma Yehudit politician Almog Cohen advocated blocking TikTok for all of East Jerusalem due to concerns about Palestinian militant groups using the platform. U.S. lawmakers accused the platform of pushing pro-Hamas and pro-Palestine content.
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 due to cybersecurity concerns.
March 2023: TikTok Hosts Neo-Nazi Propaganda Film
In March 2023, The Jewish Chronicle reported that TikTok was still hosting videos that promoted the neo-Nazi propaganda film Europa: The Last Battle, despite being alerted four months prior. TikTok stated they removed and would continue to remove the content and associated accounts and has blocked the search term.
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. Those under the age of 13 would need a passcode from their parents to extend their time.
March 2023: TikTok Introduces STEM Feed
In March 2023, TikTok introduced a dedicated feed for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content, working with Common Sense Networks for safety and the Poynter Institute for information reliability.
May 2023: Complaints of TikTok Tracking LGBT 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 stated its algorithm tracks interests, not identity, and that non-LGBT users also view such content.
May 2023: Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Alleges Data Access by Chinese Communist Party Members
In May 2023, a former ByteDance employee filed a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging that Hong Kong users' device information and communications, particularly those of demonstrators in the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, were accessed by Chinese Communist Party members in 2018. ByteDance denied the claims. The whistleblower claimed his father in mainland China had been detained by the authorities in retaliation for his speaking to the media about alleged censorship by TikTok.
June 2023: TikTok deletes gang-related accounts in cooperation with New Zealand and Australian police
In June 2023, The New Zealand Herald reported that TikTok, working with New Zealand and Australian police, deleted 340 accounts and 2,000 videos associated with criminal gangs. This action followed criticism of the platform for hosting content promoting gang lifestyles and fights.
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.
July 2023: TikTok Launches TikTok Music
In July 2023, TikTok launched a new streaming service called TikTok Music, initially available in Brazil and Indonesia, allowing users to listen to, download, and share songs from major record companies. On July 19, 2023, TikTok Music was expanded for select users in Australia, Mexico and Singapore.
September 2023: ByteDance employees file EEOC complaint
In September 2023, two former ByteDance employees filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requesting an investigation into TikTok's practice of retaliating against workers who complained about discrimination.
November 2023: Osama bin Laden's "Letter to the American people" goes viral on TikTok
In November 2023, Osama bin Laden's 2002 "Letter to the American people" went viral on TikTok. The letter criticized the U.S. and its support for Israel. TikTok began removing videos featuring the letter, with reports suggesting its virality was exaggerated prior to media coverage.
November 2023: Singaporean Minister Applies 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: Fake TikTok Accounts Promoting Russian Propaganda Discovered
In December 2023, BBC News reported it had discovered nearly 800 fake TikTok accounts promoting Russian propaganda and disinformation. TikTok's investigation found more than 12,000 fake accounts, including ones using additional languages such as English and Italian.
December 2023: TikTok Invests in Tokopedia
In December 2023, TikTok invested $1.5 billion in GoTo's Indonesian e-commerce business, Tokopedia, marking a significant move in the e-commerce sector.
December 2023: NCRI Study on TikTok Content Amplification/Suppression
In December 2023, the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) released a study that found a "strong possibility that content on TikTok is either amplified or suppressed based on its alignment with the interests of the Chinese government."
2023: Influencers and the SAG-AFTRA Strike
During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, TikTok influencers were told that they would be denied future entry into the union if they partnered with struck studios.
2023: Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam" Gains Popularity
In 2023, Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam" entered the Radio 1 playlist after being shared by Gen Z on TikTok, even though many youth radio stations had refused to play it.
2023: TikTok's sponsorship of Wrexham A.F.C. ends
In 2023, TikTok's partnership with Wrexham A.F.C. ended after Wrexham was promoted to the EFL League Two. U.S. airline United took over as the team's partner/sponsor.
2023: Internet Governance Project Paper on TikTok 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 concerns raised at TikTok after Hamas-led attack
In 2023, after the Hamas-led attack on Israel, The Times of Israel reported that antisemitism at the company was "rampant", allowing anti-Jewish and anti-Israel content to proliferate. Jewish individuals raised the issue with TikTok's head of operations and global head of user operations.
2023: Share of U.S. Adults Getting News from TikTok
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, after a dispute with TikTok regarding payouts for artists and regulation of AI-generated music content, Universal Music Group decided not to renew its licensing agreement with TikTok, causing its catalogue of 3 million recordings to become unavailable for usage after January 31, 2024.
February 2024: Biden Campaign Joins TikTok
In February 2024, the re-election campaign for U.S. President Joe Biden announced it had opened a TikTok account while taking "advanced safety precautions". Biden posted his first video during Super Bowl LVIII, which was criticized by some lawmakers.
March 2024: TikTok 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 Stagnates in the U.S.
In March 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that TikTok's growth in the U.S. had stagnated, indicating a potential shift in its market trajectory.
March 2024: Universal Music Publishing Group Removes Compositions From TikTok
In March 2024, Universal Music Publishing Group removed its catalogue of 4 million compositions from TikTok.
March 2024: TikTok Fined for Harmful Content
In March 2024, the Italian Competition Authority fined TikTok €10 million for inadequately protecting underage users from harmful content, such as the "French scar" challenge.
March 2024: US House of Representatives passes bill to ban TikTok
On 13 March 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 7521, a bill that would ban TikTok completely in the US 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: Senate passes modified version of TikTok ban bill
In April 2024, the House of Representatives included a modified version of the TikTok ban bill in a foreign aid package. The Senate passed the package on 23 April 2024, and it was signed into law by President Biden the following day.
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 that its algorithm is designed to be cultivate compulsive behavior and is harmful to minors' mental health.
July 2024: Neo-Nazi TikTok Network Promoting 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: NCRI Report on Pro-China Content on TikTok
In August 2024, the NCRI released a report based on user journey data from 24 accounts that they created across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. By searching for four keywords—Uyghur, Xinjiang, Tibet, and Tiananmen, the researchers found that TikTok returned a higher percentage of positive, neutral, or irrelevant content related to human rights in China.
September 2024: Adolf Hitler's Speeches Attract 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 Removes Russian State Media Accounts
In September 2024, TikTok removed the accounts of Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik.
October 2024: Senators request 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. The request followed reports uncovered by NPR and Kentucky Public Radio.
November 6, 2024: Canada orders TikTok office shutdown due to national security concerns
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. However, access to the app was not banned, allowing users to still access the video app and upload content.
November 2024: Teen stabbing incident in Albania linked to TikTok dispute
In November 2024, a teenager fatally stabbed another teen in Albania after a dispute that began on TikTok. The incident led to the Albanian government announcing a ban on the platform.
December 2024: Albania announces TikTok shutdown for 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. This decision followed a deadly incident in November 2024 in which a teenager fatally stabbed another after a dispute that began on the platform.
December 30, 2024: TikTok Fined Over Viral Challenges Leading to Deaths
On December 30, 2024, Venezuela's Supreme Court fined TikTok $10 million due to viral challenges that led to the deaths of three children. The court cited TikTok's failure to implement adequate measures to prevent these dangerous video challenges.
2024: TikTok partners with Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Team GB
In 2024, TikTok partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to support small Latino businesses, allocating $5000 each for 40 grant recipients. TikTok and Team GB also signed a sponsorship deal to help UK athletes connect with new audiences for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
January 2025: Chinese Officials Discuss Potential Sale of TikTok's U.S. Operations
In January 2025, Chinese officials began preliminary talks about potentially selling TikTok's U.S. operations to Elon Musk amid national security concerns and an impending ban, with Musk's platform, X, being one possibility for a takeover.
January 2025: TikTok temporarily becomes unavailable, then restored after Trump intervention
On 18 January 2025, hours before the bill banning it was set to go into effect, TikTok became unavailable across the United States. The next day, access was restored 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 ban by 75 days.
March 2025: Albania officially shuts down TikTok
On 7 March 2025, the Albanian government officially enacted a shutdown of TikTok. The Albanian Cabinet cited concerns over the app's role in promoting violence and bullying among children as the reason for the shutdown.
2025: Investigation finds TikTok profiting from sexual livestreams involving minors in Kenya
An investigation in 2025 revealed that TikTok was profiting from sexual livestreams in Kenya involving minors. Teenagers as young as 15 were found to be using the platform to solicit explicit content, with TikTok taking a 70% cut of these livestream earnings. The company has been aware of child exploitation since at least 2022.
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