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

Crowds gather in the streets of Paris. French authorities have opened several privacy investigations into the growing practice of secretly recording women in public spaces using smart glasses. Photo: AP

France

French authorities target ‘pervert’ glasses street trend

Investigation follows complaints of people secretly recording and publishing non-consensual footage online.

23 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

Hong Kong sports

Is this the reel life? Sports confront new world of social media, influencers

22 Sep 2026 - 10:30PM

Thailand

Thailand makes weight-loss pens prescription-only to counter abuse

18 Sep 2026 - 7:21PM

European Union

EU to propose curbing social media, online games for under 15s

The European Commission has come under pressure from some EU member states to take bloc-wide measures to protect children.

15 Sep 2026 - 7:15PMvideocam

A teenager looks at her smartphone in Brussels. The EU already has powerful laws to protect children including the content rules known as the Digital Services Act. Photo: AFP

Vietnam

Asian Angle | Politics aside, young Vietnamese are warming to China

Hit dramas, trendy consumer brands and economic opportunity are drawing a new generation into China’s cultural orbit.

13 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

Australia

Trump slams Australia’s social media crackdown as ‘extortion’

The White House warns Australia over its proposed algorithm opt-out bill, as Anthony Albanese defends national sovereignty.

9 Sep 2026 - 12:16PM

Artificial intelligence

‘Slop’ purge: Chinese watchdog scrubs millions of harmful AI posts

Clampdown sweeps across 2,400 websites and apps as cyberspace watchdog escalates fight against generative tech abuse.

2 Sep 2026 - 5:49PMvideocam

The Cyberspace Administration of China says it has removed some 49,000 accounts during its latest enforcement drive. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump’s North Korea hope, China’s rocket force: 7 global relations reads

From plans that could upend the US elections to Canada tariffs, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in August 2026.

1 Sep 2026 - 10:00PM

Singapore

Singapore may require social media firms to set daily time limits for teens

If a social media platform does not want to introduce stronger safeguards, Singapore may require it to raise the minimum age of access to 18.

31 Aug 2026 - 5:28PM

The Philippines

Philippine Roblox ban call sparks wider debate over children’s online safety

The online gaming platform has been blamed for the rise in school shootings and child sexual exploitation cases in Southeast Asia.

28 Aug 2026 - 7:26PMvideocam

Get to Know

Who is Stella Lefty’s boyfriend, viral country star Vincent Mason?

Inspired by John Mayer, the rising musician co-wrote ‘Something to Lose’ with Lefty and joined her to perform the track at Lollapalooza 2026.

28 Aug 2026 - 12:40PM

Country artists Stella Lefty and Vincent Mason have been dating for about six months. Photo: @vincentmason/Instagram

Get to Know

Meet rising Slovak pop star Adéla’s boyfriend, music producer Jackson Shanks

He has been dating the rising Slovak pop star and ‘Ain’t In LA’ singer for a year, having first been spotted together at a Sabrina Carpenter concert last November.

27 Aug 2026 - 4:21PM

China-Latin America relations

Brazil fines TikTok record US$30 million for profiting from children’s data

ByteDance penalised for allegedly collecting data from 1 in 5 Brazilian children and failing to block minors from using TikTok.

26 Aug 2026 - 2:54AMvideocam

Britain

UK police arrest 12 after deadly wrong-way crash that killed 7

Police have denied the collision on Saturday was linked to filming for the TikTok online platform.

24 Aug 2026 - 11:51PM

Police officers at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, England, UK on Saturday. Photo: PA via AP

New Zealand

New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s

Wellington is proposing fines of up to 10 per cent of global turnover for tech firms, but a coalition partner has vowed to block the measure.

24 Aug 2026 - 1:14PM

The bill would require social media platforms operating in New Zealand to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Britain

7 dead in UK after vehicle travelling in wrong direction hits police car

Following recent head-on crashes in Ireland, police have warned that some young people are driving the wrong way ‘for social media ‌likes’.

23 Aug 2026 - 2:39AM

Get to Know

Meet Jonathan Daviss, the Outer Banks actor who will play Snoop Dogg next

As the Netflix hit draws to a close, the actor playing the brains of the Pogues bids an emotional farewell to co-stars Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes and more.

22 Aug 2026 - 2:00PM

US-China relations

TikTok, ByteDance agree to US$400 million settlement with US government

TikTok will pay US$300 million immediately and an additional US$100 million after entering an order vacating a prior consent decree.

22 Aug 2026 - 7:01AMvideocam

The US Justice Department and TikTok reached a US$400 million settlement to resolve allegations that the social-media company violated laws meant to protect children’s online privacy rights. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Get to Know

Who is The Rizzler? Meet the viral 10-year-old Christian Joseph

The viral internet meme personality, who rose to fame after wearing a Black Panther costume, has appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show and met John Cena.

19 Aug 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Get to Know

Meet Hayes Warner, the pop singer who plays Debbie in The Shards

Known for her TikTok hit ‘Breadcrumbs’, she stars in the erotic thriller adapted by Ryan Murphy, alongside Kaia Gerber and Evan Rachel Wood.

19 Aug 2026 - 2:49PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Jenna Ortega’s supportive sister Aliyah, who’s a nursing student

The Wednesday actress recently drew concern over her physique, and her younger sibling commented on a fan’s Instagram post defending the star.

18 Aug 2026 - 1:07PMvideocam

Jenna Ortega (left) and her younger sister Aliyah. Photos: @jennaortega/Instagram; @aliyah.ortega/Instagram

Social media

Chinamaxxing: is it really about China or Gen Z fleeing Western fatigue?

From viral candy wrappers to hot water routines, Western Gen Z appears obsessed with all things China. But is it true love?

18 Aug 2026 - 2:01AMvideocam

Britain

UK PM Andy Burnham shifts focus to TikTok and podcasts

The British prime minister is bypassing traditional outlets with deft digital strategy, sparking praise from young voters and pushback from legacy media.

16 Aug 2026 - 3:59PM

US-China relations

From TikTok to war weariness, a new generation of Americans’ view of China

On US college campuses, a generation shaped by China’s rise is challenging the assumptions behind Washington’s approach to Beijing.

15 Aug 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Get to Know

Meet Sienna Spiro, the 20-year-old British singer likened to Adele and Lana Del Rey

The Gen-Z songstress’ father is famed jeweller Glenn Spiro, who crafted the controversial Iranian artefact earrings Zendaya wore to an event for The Odyssey.

15 Aug 2026 - 6:00AM

British singer Sienna Spiro, 20, is a rising star in the music industry. Photo: @siennaspiro/Instagram

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.

15 Sep 2026 - 3:46PM

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

US-China relations

US lifts TikTok ban on government devices after ByteDance restructuring

Justice Department says the app’s new US joint venture is no longer covered by the 2022 prohibition targeting app’s Chinese parent company.

12 Aug 2026 - 5:52AMvideocam

United States

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

The lawsuits allege that companies including TikTok and Meta intentionally addicted young users, contributing to a ⁠mental health crisis.

11 Aug 2026 - 3:28AMvideocam

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TikTok

French authorities target ‘pervert’ glasses street trend

Investigation follows complaints of people secretly recording and publishing non-consensual footage online.

Is this the reel life? Sports confront new world of social media, influencers

Thailand makes weight-loss pens prescription-only to counter abuse

EU to propose curbing social media, online games for under 15s

The European Commission has come under pressure from some EU member states to take bloc-wide measures to protect children.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Asian Angle | Politics aside, young Vietnamese are warming to China

Hit dramas, trendy consumer brands and economic opportunity are drawing a new generation into China’s cultural orbit.

Trump slams Australia’s social media crackdown as ‘extortion’

The White House warns Australia over its proposed algorithm opt-out bill, as Anthony Albanese defends national sovereignty.

‘Slop’ purge: Chinese watchdog scrubs millions of harmful AI posts

Clampdown sweeps across 2,400 websites and apps as cyberspace watchdog escalates fight against generative tech abuse.

Trump’s North Korea hope, China’s rocket force: 7 global relations reads

From plans that could upend the US elections to Canada tariffs, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in August 2026.

Singapore may require social media firms to set daily time limits for teens

If a social media platform does not want to introduce stronger safeguards, Singapore may require it to raise the minimum age of access to 18.

Philippine Roblox ban call sparks wider debate over children’s online safety

The online gaming platform has been blamed for the rise in school shootings and child sexual exploitation cases in Southeast Asia.

Who is Stella Lefty’s boyfriend, viral country star Vincent Mason?

Inspired by John Mayer, the rising musician co-wrote ‘Something to Lose’ with Lefty and joined her to perform the track at Lollapalooza 2026.

Meet rising Slovak pop star Adéla’s boyfriend, music producer Jackson Shanks

He has been dating the rising Slovak pop star and ‘Ain’t In LA’ singer for a year, having first been spotted together at a Sabrina Carpenter concert last November.

Brazil fines TikTok record US$30 million for profiting from children’s data

ByteDance penalised for allegedly collecting data from 1 in 5 Brazilian children and failing to block minors from using TikTok.

UK police arrest 12 after deadly wrong-way crash that killed 7

Police have denied the collision on Saturday was linked to filming for the TikTok online platform.

New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s

Wellington is proposing fines of up to 10 per cent of global turnover for tech firms, but a coalition partner has vowed to block the measure.

7 dead in UK after vehicle travelling in wrong direction hits police car

Following recent head-on crashes in Ireland, police have warned that some young people are driving the wrong way ‘for social media ‌likes’.

Meet Jonathan Daviss, the Outer Banks actor who will play Snoop Dogg next

As the Netflix hit draws to a close, the actor playing the brains of the Pogues bids an emotional farewell to co-stars Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes and more.

TikTok, ByteDance agree to US$400 million settlement with US government

TikTok will pay US$300 million immediately and an additional US$100 million after entering an order vacating a prior consent decree.

Who is The Rizzler? Meet the viral 10-year-old Christian Joseph

The viral internet meme personality, who rose to fame after wearing a Black Panther costume, has appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show and met John Cena.

Meet Hayes Warner, the pop singer who plays Debbie in The Shards

Known for her TikTok hit ‘Breadcrumbs’, she stars in the erotic thriller adapted by Ryan Murphy, alongside Kaia Gerber and Evan Rachel Wood.

Meet Jenna Ortega’s supportive sister Aliyah, who’s a nursing student

The Wednesday actress recently drew concern over her physique, and her younger sibling commented on a fan’s Instagram post defending the star.

Chinamaxxing: is it really about China or Gen Z fleeing Western fatigue?

From viral candy wrappers to hot water routines, Western Gen Z appears obsessed with all things China. But is it true love?

UK PM Andy Burnham shifts focus to TikTok and podcasts

The British prime minister is bypassing traditional outlets with deft digital strategy, sparking praise from young voters and pushback from legacy media.

From TikTok to war weariness, a new generation of Americans’ view of China

On US college campuses, a generation shaped by China’s rise is challenging the assumptions behind Washington’s approach to Beijing.

Meet Sienna Spiro, the 20-year-old British singer likened to Adele and Lana Del Rey

The Gen-Z songstress’ father is famed jeweller Glenn Spiro, who crafted the controversial Iranian artefact earrings Zendaya wore to an event for The Odyssey.

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

Justice Department says the app’s new US joint venture is no longer covered by the 2022 prohibition targeting app’s Chinese parent company.

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

The lawsuits allege that companies including TikTok and Meta intentionally addicted young users, contributing to a ⁠mental health crisis.

Asian Angle | Politics aside, young Vietnamese are warming to China