TOPIC

/ company

TikTok

Latest news and updates on TikTok, the globally popular social media platform. The app, which merged with Musical.ly in 2018, lets users create short videos under a minute long complete with visual effects and background music. It has since come under scrutiny in countries like the US and India because it is owned by a Chinese company. Critics have accused the app of posing a national security risk, a claim that TikTok has repeatedly denied. Known as Douyin in China, the app is owned by Beijing-based startup ByteDance, also behind the Chinese news aggregator Jinri Toutiao.

Chairman / President

Zhang Yiming

CEO / Managing Director

Shou Zi Chew

CFO / Finance Director

Julie Gao

Industry

Social Media

Website

tiktok.com

Headquarters address

Culver City, 5800 Bristol Pkwy, United States

Year founded

2016

Henry (left) and Nick Burch attend the opening of Butter Baby’s store at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2026. Photo: Handout

Food and Drinks

Interview: Nick and Henry Burch on Butter Baby’s mad, whimsical universe

Founded by the American fashion designer’s twin sons, the Jakarta doughnut phenomenon counts Jackson Wang and North West among its fans.

13 Aug 2026 - 3:00PM

US-China relations

US lifts TikTok ban on government devices after ByteDance restructuring

12 Aug 2026 - 5:52AMvideocam

United States

US court rules tech firms must face lawsuits over social media addiction

11 Aug 2026 - 3:28AMvideocam

Wellness

What’s really in your menstrual products – and should you be worried?

TikTok exposed Always for chemicals and mould concerns, but newer brands like Rael and Thinx are proving the period aisle can do better.

10 Aug 2026 - 8:00AM

Menstrual products from the Honey Pot. Photo: Handout

China exports

How China’s brands are thriving in the US despite rising geopolitical tensions

Chinese brands like Pop Mart are winning over American consumers by projecting a global image and targeting niche markets.

9 Aug 2026 - 8:00PM

United States

Meta ordered in US to pay US$567 million to address child safety harms

Company says it will appeal after a New Mexico judge directs funds to youth mental health programmes and orders app changes.

7 Aug 2026 - 10:12AM

Get to Know

All about the parents of celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton

The media personality recently moved back to his hometown, Miami, to be closer to his mother, affectionately known as Momma Perez.

6 Aug 2026 - 7:00PM

Celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton has a close relationship with his mother, Teresita Lavandeira. Photo: Getty Images

US-China relations

Trump nominee vows to sharpen US media challenge to China

Sarah Rogers says Asia would remain a priority for US-funded broadcasters, despite continuing turmoil and reduced operations at the agency.

31 Jul 2026 - 6:47AMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

ByteDance sharpens AI focus as annualised revenue reaches US$4b

Company’s projected annual AI revenue is the largest known to the public among Chinese rivals, but still far behind US AI firms.

30 Jul 2026 - 8:30PM

United States

Tate brothers to remain in US jail as they fight extradition to UK

Influencers fight extradition over new rape and sex trafficking charges as their lawyer claims prosecution lacks evidence.

28 Jul 2026 - 9:53AMvideocam

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan in 2024. Photo: AFP

Wellness

How infinite scrolling hijacks the brain’s reward system like slot machines do

Two experts explain what infinite scrolling does to the brain, why teens are particularly affected, and how to beat the addiction.

23 Jul 2026 - 9:15PM

The core mechanism of infinite scrolling is similar to slot machines, one expert says, and teens are often hit hardest because the “brake system” in their brains is still maturing. Photo: Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez/dpa

France

France parliament approves social media ban for children under 15, in EU first

The bill also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools, expected to take effect from the beginning of the next school year.

22 Jul 2026 - 3:32AMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet Dougie Joseph, Nina Dobrev’s new beau after Olympian Shaun White

The Aussie relocated to New York City to pursue modelling in 2017; his last known relationship was with social media make-up influencer Meredith Duxbury.

18 Jul 2026 - 6:00AM

European Union

EU demands ‘youth mode’ to protect children from addictive social media features

The addictive features include infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalised recommender systems.

14 Jul 2026 - 7:14PM

Icons and Influencers

Meet Tefi Pessoa, host of Love Island USA’s companion show Aftersun

The influencer joined TikTok in 2020 and has amassed some 2 million followers there – she’s also been vocal about what it means to her to be Latina.

14 Jul 2026 - 6:01PM

Tefi Pessoa is one of the two hosts of Love Island USA’s companion show, Aftersun. Photo: @hellotefi/Instagram

European Union

EU eyes social media curbs for children

Australia, Britain, China, India and the United States have already imposed a social media ban or are ‌considering ‌one.

13 Jul 2026 - 7:34PM

Indonesia

Tokopedia ‘restructuring’ deepens concerns about Indonesia’s tech winter

Tokopedia’s deeper integration into ByteDance’s ecosystem could shift more operations outside Indonesia, analysts say.

9 Jul 2026 - 6:22PM

Indonesia

‘Grading own homework’: is Indonesia outsourcing online safety to tech giants?

Without a regulator, Indonesia’s child online safety rules require digital platforms to assess and remove underage accounts themselves.

9 Jul 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Boys use their mobile phone in Jakarta on April 29. Photo: AP

Sex and relationships

How do you get a girl to fall in love with you? Ask Emily Lin

Emily Lin’s dating advice – such as saying ‘tell me more’, shutting up and listening – on social media has gone viral with men.

8 Jul 2026 - 7:15AM

Australia

Australian officials tell fans to give Neil the seal some flipping space

Neil, the only male elephant seal to visit Tasmania in years, has commanded an enthralled TikTok following of 1.4 million.

3 Jul 2026 - 12:52PM

US-China relations

US lawmakers push for fewer tax breaks to reduce reliance on China technology

Congressman Nathaniel Moran also warns US business leaders of corporate America’s growing ‘toxic relationship’ with ‘adversary’ Beijing.

4 Jul 2026 - 12:40AMvideocam

US lawmakers plan to deny certain tax incentives through the country's tax code to discourage businesses from relying on technology from China. Photo: Shutterstock

Indonesia

Unmarried Indonesian couple get 21 lashes each over viral live stream kiss

About 100 people witnessed the caning, carried out by a group of people wearing robes and hoods on a stage in Banda Aceh.

2 Jul 2026 - 5:18PM

A man reacts to lashing in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Fifa World Cup 2026

Rima Edbouche – the anti-WAG? Meet Ousmane Dembélé’s modest hijabi wife

Ballon d’Or winner of 2025 and Paris Saint-Germain member Dembélé is repping France at the World Cup 2026 – supported by his low-key wife.

1 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

South Korea

South Korea ‘fake news’ law triggers free speech, censorship fears

The scope extends beyond social media to malicious reviews and defamatory posts on online communities, delivery apps and shopping platforms.

1 Jul 2026 - 9:32AMvideocam

Britain

My Take | Putting the social media genie back in the bottle will not be easy to do

The determination around the world to crack down on the use of these platforms by children is a response to the mounting evidence of the harm it can do.

27 Jun 2026 - 10:45PM

Britain is eyeing measures aimed at protecting children online. Photo: Reuters

Australia

Australia PM: ‘too many children on social media’, ban too easy to avoid

According to a British ‌study, 85 per cent of Australians aged 12 to 15 were still using social media three months after the ban took effect.

27 Jun 2026 - 9:21PMvideocam

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at Question Time in the House of Representatives at Australian Parliament House in 2024, in Canberra. Photo: TNS

US-China relations

Opinion | The West must reckon with the reality of China’s rise

Beijing’s emergence as a major power must be navigated with wisdom and respect, rather than framed as a threat that needs to be contained.

17 Jun 2026 - 10:44PM

Britain

UK bans under 16s from social media apps including TikTok, YouTube

The move makes the UK part of a growing global movement to tighten online safety for children.

15 Jun 2026 - 6:48PM

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TikTok

Interview: Nick and Henry Burch on Butter Baby’s mad, whimsical universe

Founded by the American fashion designer’s twin sons, the Jakarta doughnut phenomenon counts Jackson Wang and North West among its fans.

US lifts TikTok ban on government devices after ByteDance restructuring

US court rules tech firms must face lawsuits over social media addiction

What’s really in your menstrual products – and should you be worried?

TikTok exposed Always for chemicals and mould concerns, but newer brands like Rael and Thinx are proving the period aisle can do better.

How China’s brands are thriving in the US despite rising geopolitical tensions

Chinese brands like Pop Mart are winning over American consumers by projecting a global image and targeting niche markets.

Meta ordered in US to pay US$567 million to address child safety harms

Company says it will appeal after a New Mexico judge directs funds to youth mental health programmes and orders app changes.

All about the parents of celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton

The media personality recently moved back to his hometown, Miami, to be closer to his mother, affectionately known as Momma Perez.

Trump nominee vows to sharpen US media challenge to China

Sarah Rogers says Asia would remain a priority for US-funded broadcasters, despite continuing turmoil and reduced operations at the agency.

ByteDance sharpens AI focus as annualised revenue reaches US$4b

Company’s projected annual AI revenue is the largest known to the public among Chinese rivals, but still far behind US AI firms.

Tate brothers to remain in US jail as they fight extradition to UK

Influencers fight extradition over new rape and sex trafficking charges as their lawyer claims prosecution lacks evidence.

How infinite scrolling hijacks the brain’s reward system like slot machines do

Two experts explain what infinite scrolling does to the brain, why teens are particularly affected, and how to beat the addiction.

France parliament approves social media ban for children under 15, in EU first

The bill also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools, expected to take effect from the beginning of the next school year.

Meet Dougie Joseph, Nina Dobrev’s new beau after Olympian Shaun White

The Aussie relocated to New York City to pursue modelling in 2017; his last known relationship was with social media make-up influencer Meredith Duxbury.

EU demands ‘youth mode’ to protect children from addictive social media features

The addictive features include infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalised recommender systems.

Meet Tefi Pessoa, host of Love Island USA’s companion show Aftersun

The influencer joined TikTok in 2020 and has amassed some 2 million followers there – she’s also been vocal about what it means to her to be Latina.

EU eyes social media curbs for children

Australia, Britain, China, India and the United States have already imposed a social media ban or are ‌considering ‌one.

Tokopedia ‘restructuring’ deepens concerns about Indonesia’s tech winter

Tokopedia’s deeper integration into ByteDance’s ecosystem could shift more operations outside Indonesia, analysts say.

‘Grading own homework’: is Indonesia outsourcing online safety to tech giants?

Without a regulator, Indonesia’s child online safety rules require digital platforms to assess and remove underage accounts themselves.

How do you get a girl to fall in love with you? Ask Emily Lin

Emily Lin’s dating advice – such as saying ‘tell me more’, shutting up and listening – on social media has gone viral with men.

Australian officials tell fans to give Neil the seal some flipping space

Neil, the only male elephant seal to visit Tasmania in years, has commanded an enthralled TikTok following of 1.4 million.

US lawmakers push for fewer tax breaks to reduce reliance on China technology

Congressman Nathaniel Moran also warns US business leaders of corporate America’s growing ‘toxic relationship’ with ‘adversary’ Beijing.

Unmarried Indonesian couple get 21 lashes each over viral live stream kiss

About 100 people witnessed the caning, carried out by a group of people wearing robes and hoods on a stage in Banda Aceh.

Rima Edbouche – the anti-WAG? Meet Ousmane Dembélé’s modest hijabi wife

Ballon d’Or winner of 2025 and Paris Saint-Germain member Dembélé is repping France at the World Cup 2026 – supported by his low-key wife.

South Korea ‘fake news’ law triggers free speech, censorship fears

The scope extends beyond social media to malicious reviews and defamatory posts on online communities, delivery apps and shopping platforms.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Putting the social media genie back in the bottle will not be easy to do

The determination around the world to crack down on the use of these platforms by children is a response to the mounting evidence of the harm it can do.

Australia PM: ‘too many children on social media’, ban too easy to avoid

According to a British ‌study, 85 per cent of Australians aged 12 to 15 were still using social media three months after the ban took effect.

Opinion | The West must reckon with the reality of China’s rise

Beijing’s emergence as a major power must be navigated with wisdom and respect, rather than framed as a threat that needs to be contained.

UK bans under 16s from social media apps including TikTok, YouTube

The move makes the UK part of a growing global movement to tighten online safety for children.

My Take | Putting the social media genie back in the bottle will not be easy to do