TikTok developments
Welcome to our ‘TikTok developments’ page, where we cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.
Join us as we break down the US Supreme Court’s critical January 19th decision, analyse the potential impact of a Trump presidency, and examine the TikTok controversy shaping the future of tech, free speech, and content governance.
This is where just-in-time coverage meets thoughtful analysis of the TikTok controversy!
The Musical.ly era and the humble beginnings (2014–2017)
The story of TikTok began with the launch of Musical.ly in 2014, a social media app that allowed users to create and share short lip-sync videos. Founded by Alex Zhu and Luyu Yang in Shanghai, the app quickly gained traction among teenagers, particularly in the US and the EU, for its fun and creative features. Musical.ly fostered an emerging culture of short-form video content, blending entertainment, music, and user-generated creativity into a captivating platform.
By mid-2017, Musical.ly had amassed over 100 million active users, making it a promising player in the social media world. Recognising its potential, Chinese tech giant ByteDance, already running a similar app called Douyin in China, acquired Musical.ly in November 2017 for approximately $1 billion.
The birth of TikTok as a global phenomenon (2018–2019)
In 2018, ByteDance merged Musical.ly with Douyin to create TikTok, a unified app for international audiences. TikTok retained Musical.ly’s user-friendly features while integrating ByteDance’s powerful machine-learning algorithms. Its hallmark ‘For You Page’ (FYP) leveraged AI to provide users an endless stream of highly personalised content, turning the platform into a digital dopamine dispenser.
TikTok’s unique approach to content delivery fueled its meteoric rise. By late 2018, TikTok was one of the most downloaded apps worldwide, surpassing giants like Facebook and Instagram. From viral dance challenges to comedic skits, TikTok cultivated a vibrant ecosystem of creators, reshaping how people consumed and produced entertainment. The app became particularly popular among younger generations, solidifying its status as a cultural juggernaut.
The scrutiny begins: data privacy and geopolitical tensions (2019–2020)
TikTok’s global dominance, however, came with increasing scrutiny. Concerns emerged about user data privacy, content moderation, and its ties to the Chinese government through parent company ByteDance. Critics argued that TikTok’s algorithm, while innovative, could be manipulated to spread propaganda or censor dissent.
In 2020, geopolitical tensions escalated when India banned TikTok and several other Chinese apps, citing national security risks. Around the same time, then-US President Donald Trump threatened to ban TikTok unless ByteDance sold its US operations to a US company. Although a deal involving Oracle and Walmart was discussed, it never materialised. The Biden administration later revoked Trump’s executive order but initiated its national security review of TikTok.
Navigating challenges: content moderation and transparency (2021–2023)
TikTok continued to grow, reaching over 1 billion active users worldwide by 2021, but it faced mounting challenges. The platform implemented measures to address content moderation and misinformation concerns by introducing community guidelines, transparency reports, and advisory councils. Despite these efforts, TikTok was criticised for inconsistent enforcement and the proliferation of harmful content, including dangerous challenges and political disinformation.
TikTok also made moves to localise its operations. It announced plans to store US user data on servers managed by Oracle, aiming to alleviate fears about Chinese government access. However, these efforts were not enough to quell bipartisan concerns in the US about TikTok’s influence and potential misuse as a tool for espionage.
The 2025 crisis: ban or sale?
By 2024, TikTok had been at the centre of an intense geopolitical storm. The US government imposed an ultimatum: ByteDance must sell TikTok’s American operations to a domestic owner by 19 January 2025 or face a nationwide ban. The Supreme Court appeared poised to uphold this decision, marking a turning point in TikTok’s tumultuous journey.
Amid this uncertainty, reports emerged of a potential acquisition of TikTok’s US operations by Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter). This proposal sparked debates about the feasibility of such a deal, ByteDance’s willingness to relinquish control, and the implications for US-China relations. ByteDance, backed by Beijing, strongly resisted the sale, arguing that it violated freedom of speech and would be logistically complex to execute.
TikTok’s estimated valuation of $40–50 billion and the Chinese government’s golden share in ByteDance added complexity to the negotiations. Musk’s involvement, with his influence in both the US and Chinese markets, further complicated the equation.
Trump’s extension of the deadline and his role as TikTok’s mediator?
Donald Trump has approved a 75-day delay in banning TikTok in the US through an executive order signed on Monday 20 January 2025. The popular video app, owned by China’s ByteDance, faced potential closure due to national security concerns, but Trump suggested the US government should take a 50% stake in TikTok’s US business to secure its future. He also warned of possible tariffs on China if Beijing failed to endorse a deal.
The executive order, announced hours after Trump’s inauguration, sparked legal and political debates about its validity. Congress had previously mandated ByteDance to divest TikTok, a law upheld by the Supreme Court. Critics, including Representative Frank Pallone, argued Trump’s order bypassed bipartisan legislation. Conversely, ByteDance has not confirmed any binding agreements to sell TikTok, leaving uncertainty over the app’s fate.
Trump’s return to the presidency has ushered in a new era of complex alliances between his administration and the tech world. Once an outspoken critic of major tech companies, Trump now finds himself supported by the leaders he previously condemned. Executives from Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, Tesla, and others have contributed heavily to his second inaugural fund, seeking favour in a political landscape where their stakes are higher than ever.
Under the given circumstances, Trump mentioned that he was in talks with various parties – notably Microsoft, among others – regarding TikTok’s future, promising a decision within 30 days. The president also indicated that he would be open to Elon Musk acquiring TikTok, expressing a desire for a bidding war over the popular app. In addition to this, AI startup Perplexity AI proposed merging with TikTok, suggesting a potential deal where the US government could hold up to half of the new company.
Such an intricate web of mutual benefit has created an environment where political ambitions and corporate interests are deeply intertwined.
TikTok’s cultural legacy and future
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future, TikTok’s cultural impact is undeniable. It has redefined how content is created, consumed, and shared, inspiring a new generation of creators and reshaping the entertainment industry. TikTok’s algorithmic approach to content discovery has been emulated by competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, solidifying its influence on the broader digital landscape.
As of January 2025, TikTok stands at a crossroads. Whether it survives the last Trump government’s ultimatum, becomes part of some big tech empire, or succumbs to a ban, its legacy as a trailblazer in short-form video and algorithmic innovation is secure. TikTok’s journey, marked by rapid growth and relentless scrutiny, is a case study of the challenges of navigating success in a hyper-connected, politically charged digital age. The app’s next chapter remains unwritten, but its story is far from over.
The Musical.ly era and the humble beginnings (2014–2017)
The story of TikTok began with the launch of Musical.ly in 2014, a social media app that allowed users to create and share short lip-sync videos. Founded by Alex Zhu and Luyu Yang in Shanghai, the app quickly gained traction among teenagers, particularly in the US and the EU, for its fun and creative features. Musical.ly fostered an emerging culture of short-form video content, blending entertainment, music, and user-generated creativity into a captivating platform.
By mid-2017, Musical.ly had amassed over 100 million active users, making it a promising player in the social media world. Recognising its potential, Chinese tech giant ByteDance, already running a similar app called Douyin in China, acquired Musical.ly in November 2017 for approximately $1 billion.
The birth of TikTok as a global phenomenon (2018–2019)
In 2018, ByteDance merged Musical.ly with Douyin to create TikTok, a unified app for international audiences. TikTok retained Musical.ly’s user-friendly features while integrating ByteDance’s powerful machine-learning algorithms. Its hallmark 'For You Page' (FYP) leveraged AI to provide users an endless stream of highly personalised content, turning the platform into a digital dopamine dispenser.
TikTok’s unique approach to content delivery fueled its meteoric rise. By late 2018, TikTok was one of the most downloaded apps worldwide, surpassing giants like Facebook and Instagram. From viral dance challenges to comedic skits, TikTok cultivated a vibrant ecosystem of creators, reshaping how people consumed and produced entertainment. The app became particularly popular among younger generations, solidifying its status as a cultural juggernaut.
The scrutiny begins: data privacy and geopolitical tensions (2019–2020)
TikTok’s global dominance, however, came with increasing scrutiny. Concerns emerged about user data privacy, content moderation, and its ties to the Chinese government through parent company ByteDance. Critics argued that TikTok’s algorithm, while innovative, could be manipulated to spread propaganda or censor dissent.
In 2020, geopolitical tensions escalated when India banned TikTok and several other Chinese apps, citing national security risks. Around the same time, then-US President Donald Trump threatened to ban TikTok unless ByteDance sold its US operations to a US company. Although a deal involving Oracle and Walmart was discussed, it never materialised. The Biden administration later revoked Trump’s executive order but initiated its national security review of TikTok.
Navigating challenges: content moderation and transparency (2021–2023)
TikTok continued to grow, reaching over 1 billion active users worldwide by 2021, but it faced mounting challenges. The platform implemented measures to address content moderation and misinformation concerns by introducing community guidelines, transparency reports, and advisory councils. Despite these efforts, TikTok was criticised for inconsistent enforcement and the proliferation of harmful content, including dangerous challenges and political disinformation.
TikTok also made moves to localise its operations. It announced plans to store US user data on servers managed by Oracle, aiming to alleviate fears about Chinese government access. However, these efforts were not enough to quell bipartisan concerns in the US about TikTok’s influence and potential misuse as a tool for espionage.
The 2025 crisis: ban or sale?
By 2024, TikTok had been at the centre of an intense geopolitical storm. The US government imposed an ultimatum: ByteDance must sell TikTok’s American operations to a domestic owner by 19 January 2025 or face a nationwide ban. The Supreme Court appeared poised to uphold this decision, marking a turning point in TikTok’s tumultuous journey.
Amid this uncertainty, reports emerged of a potential acquisition of TikTok’s US operations by Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter). This proposal sparked debates about the feasibility of such a deal, ByteDance’s willingness to relinquish control, and the implications for U.S.-China relations. ByteDance, backed by Beijing, strongly resisted the sale, arguing that it violated freedom of speech and would be logistically complex to execute.
TikTok’s estimated valuation of $40–50 billion and the Chinese government’s golden share in ByteDance added complexity to the negotiations. Musk’s involvement, with his influence in both the US and Chinese markets, further complicated the equation.
Trump’s extension of the deadline and his role as TikTok’s mediator?
Donald Trump has approved a 75-day delay in banning TikTok in the US through an executive order signed on Monday 20 January 2025. The popular video app, owned by China’s ByteDance, faced potential closure due to national security concerns, but Trump suggested the US government should take a 50% stake in TikTok’s US business to secure its future. He also warned of possible tariffs on China if Beijing failed to endorse a deal.
The executive order, announced hours after Trump’s inauguration, sparked legal and political debates about its validity. Congress had previously mandated ByteDance to divest TikTok, a law upheld by the Supreme Court. Critics, including Representative Frank Pallone, argued Trump’s order bypassed bipartisan legislation. Conversely, ByteDance has not confirmed any binding agreements to sell TikTok, leaving uncertainty over the app’s fate.
Trump’s return to the presidency has ushered in a new era of complex alliances between his administration and the tech world. Once an outspoken critic of major tech companies, Trump now finds himself supported by the leaders he previously condemned. Executives from Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, Tesla, and others have contributed heavily to his second inaugural fund, seeking favour in a political landscape where their stakes are higher than ever.
Under the given circumstances, Trump mentioned that he was in talks with various parties – notably Microsoft, among others – regarding TikTok’s future, promising a decision within 30 days. The president also indicated that he would be open to Elon Musk acquiring TikTok, expressing a desire for a bidding war over the popular app. In addition to this, AI startup Perplexity AI proposed merging with TikTok, suggesting a potential deal where the US government could hold up to half of the new company.
Such an intricate web of mutual benefit has created an environment where political ambitions and corporate interests are deeply intertwined.
TikTok’s cultural legacy and future
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future, TikTok’s cultural impact is undeniable. It has redefined how content is created, consumed, and shared, inspiring a new generation of creators and reshaping the entertainment industry. TikTok’s algorithmic approach to content discovery has been emulated by competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, solidifying its influence on the broader digital landscape.
As of January 2025, TikTok stands at a crossroads. Whether it survives the last Trump government’s ultimatum, becomes part of some big tech empire, or succumbs to a ban, its legacy as a trailblazer in short-form video and algorithmic innovation is secure. TikTok’s journey, marked by rapid growth and relentless scrutiny, is a case study of the challenges of navigating success in a hyper-connected, politically charged digital age. The app’s next chapter remains unwritten, but its story is far from over.