Mass Food Poisoning at ByteDance's Singapore Office

60 employees at TikTok-owner ByteDance's office in Singapore suffered from food poisoning, prompting an investigation by local authorities. The company is cooperating with emergency services to assist affected employees.

FTC Investigation on TikTok Violating Child Privacy Law

FTC informed DOJ that China's TikTok may be violating U.S. child privacy law. FTC referred a complaint against TikTok and ByteDance to DOJ. DOJ to decide on potential lawsuit. Separate from sell-or-ban legislation. TikTok facing lawsuits over child deaths. Considered national security threat.

U.S. Restrictions on AI Chip Sales to China

Despite U.S. government restrictions on selling advanced AI chips to Chinese companies, American corporations like Oracle have found loopholes to rent out Nvidia's cutting-edge H100 chips to TikTok owner ByteDance on U.S. soil, allowing Chinese companies to access coveted chips. U.S. Commerce Department proposed a rule to verify foreign customers' identities training AI models for potential malicious cyber-enabled activity.

Potential Purchase of TikTok's US Operation by Steven Mnuchin

Steven Mnuchin expresses interest in buying TikTok's US operation and rebuilding its critical video recommendation technology under US leadership to disconnect from ByteDance. However, challenges remain due to ByteDance's reluctance to sell its core recommendation algorithm and China's export restrictions.

Legal battle over TikTok in the U.S.

TikTok and ByteDance sue in U.S. federal court to block a law signed by President Joe Biden that would force divestiture of the app or ban its use. The law gives ByteDance until Jan. 19 to sell TikTok or face a ban.

Universal Music Group Signs New Licensing Agreement with TikTok

Universal Music Group has signed a new licensing agreement with China’s TikTok app, restoring music to the platform after a hiatus. The deal includes promotional opportunities and AI protections. Meanwhile, the U.S. passed a bill requiring TikTok's parent company to sell the app within 9 months due to national security concerns.

Americans' Perception of China's TikTok App

A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that a majority of Americans believe China's TikTok app is used to influence U.S. public opinion and spy on Americans. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to hold this belief. President Biden signed a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok within nine months or face a ban. The TikTok CEO plans to challenge this in court.

TikTok's Handling of U.S. User Data in Relation to ByteDance

Former employees claim that TikTok failed to effectively wall off U.S. user data from its parent company, ByteDance, due to a complex computer network structure, with internal systems maintaining control over user data sharing. TikTok denies these claims, insisting data was stored in Virginia and Singapore. President Biden signed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok within nine months or face a ban in the U.S. TikTok CEO plans to fight the legislation in court.

US House of Representatives Approves Bill to Force TikTok Divestment from ByteDance

The US House of Representatives approved a bill to force TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or be shut out of the American market due to concerns of Beijing spying on users and spreading propaganda. The bill goes to the Senate for a vote next week and President Biden has expressed support for it.

TikTok's Ineffective Efforts to Isolate U.S. User Data from China

Former TikTok employees reveal that efforts to isolate U.S. user data from China are ineffective, calling it 'largely cosmetic.' TikTok's Project Texas, aimed at moving U.S. user data away from ByteDance, is criticized as a facade by ex-workers. Lawsuit claims TikTok's day-to-day management and decisions were dictated by ByteDance in China. U.S. lawmakers express concerns over TikTok's risks to American users and the nation.

TikTok facing potential divestiture in the US

Congress is fast-tracking a bill to force TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest its ownership stake, which could impact millions of users and businesses in the US. The bill has support from data privacy and national security hawks, but faces legal challenges.

TikTok and Chinese Embassy Lobbying

The Chinese Embassy has been lobbying against legislation that would force the sale of TikTok, owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance, in the United States. The embassy downplayed national security concerns and emphasized the app's alignment with American interests.

Chinese Communist Party lobbying against TikTok legislation in the U.S.

The Chinese Communist Party is secretly lobbying the U.S. Congress to prevent legislation that would force a sale of TikTok or ban the app in the United States due to national security concerns. Former employees of TikTok have claimed that the app continues to work closely with its parent company, ByteDance, despite public statements suggesting otherwise.

TikTok's Alleged Continued Collaboration with ByteDance

Former TikTok employees reveal that the app continued to work closely with its Chinese parent company ByteDance, despite claims of severing connections. Data scientist Evan Turner reported to a fake Seattle-based executive while actually still working with a ByteDance executive in China, sending sensitive U.S. user data to China. TikTok's actions have raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers, with potential legislation to ban the app if ByteDance doesn't sell it within six months.

ByteDance's Financial Success and Challenges

ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, has achieved a 60% increase in profits in 2023, outpacing Chinese competitors. The success is attributed to leveraging short-video platforms for international e-commerce and expanding TikTok Shop in the US.

TikTok TV Ad Campaign Amid U.S. Senate Legislation

China's TikTok has purchased $2.1 million in TV ads as the U.S. Senate reviews legislation that could ban the app if its parent company ByteDance doesn't sell it within six months. The ads feature people expressing concern over the potential ban, targeting key battleground states and vulnerable Senate Democrats seeking reelection.

National Security Concerns Over TikTok

U.S. Senators are demanding the declassification of information on TikTok and its parent company ByteDance due to significant national security risks. The House of Representatives passed a resolution forcing ByteDance to divest from China. Bipartisan senators express deep concern over TikTok and its potential threats to national security.

Concerns about Chinese influence through TikTok

Peter Schweizer warns that if the House TikTok bill passes, ByteDance will profit from the sale of TikTok and highlights concerns about Chinese influence and access to American children.

TikTok creators fighting ban in the United States

TikTok has recruited its creators to fight a bill in Congress that could lead to a ban in the United States. The creators have met with lawmakers, posted videos with the hashtag #KeepTikTok, and shared personal stories about the app's impact on their lives and businesses.

TikTok Acquisition by Mnuchin-Led Investor Group

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is leading an investor group to acquire TikTok due to a bipartisan bill in Congress threatening its existence in the U.S. ByteDance may have to divest TikTok or face a ban. Mnuchin believes TikTok should be owned by U.S. businesses.

U.S. Legislation on TikTok Ban

The United States passed a bill that could ban TikTok due to concerns about data privacy and national security. China accuses the U.S. of bullying and using national security as a pretext. TikTok's owner, ByteDance, denies sharing user data with the Chinese government. The bill creates a process to ban social media apps from U.S. app stores if deemed a national security threat.

H.R. 7521 - Divestment of TikTok from China

H.R. 7521 is not a blanket ban on TikTok but an ultimatum for TikTok to divest from China or face expulsion from the United States. The legislation passed in a bipartisan manner in the House.

TikTok Legislation in the U.S. House

The House passed a bill aimed at forcing Chinese-owned company Bytedance to divest from social media app TikTok with overwhelming support. The bill would block TikTok in the U.S. if Bytedance does not divest within 165 days.

ByteDance and TikTok Divestment Bill

The House approved a bill calling for China's ByteDance to divest TikTok in the U.S., citing national security concerns. The bill passed with a 352-65 vote and faces Senate approval. President Biden is expected to sign if passed, despite concerns over economic impact and potential First Amendment violations.

TikTok potential shutdown in the U.S.

Members of Congress are receiving calls from angry constituents after TikTok warned of a potential shutdown in the U.S. Bipartisan legislation has been advanced to force TikTok's Chinese parent company to divest its ownership within 165 days.

The Battle Over TikTok's Future in the U.S. Government

The battle over TikTok's future is escalating in the U.S. with a bill expected to ban the app unless ByteDance sells it. Lobbyists are working to gather support while lawmakers are divided on the issue. Donald Trump has expressed concerns about TikTok's national security threat.

Bobby Kotick's Interest in Buying TikTok

Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has expressed interest in buying TikTok amid talks of banning the app in the United States due to its Chinese ownership. Legislation has been introduced to force ByteDance to sell TikTok within 6 months or face a ban.

Allegations of Trump being paid off to change stance on TikTok

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon suggests Trump was paid off to change stance on TikTok, bipartisan bill aims to divest TikTok by ByteDance, Trump opposes the bill due to false claims about voter fraud, suspicion arises from Trump's shift in stance after meeting with hedge fund manager Jeff Yass.

Former President Trump's stance on banning TikTok

Former President Trump surprised Republican China hawks by arguing against banning TikTok, a video app owned by Beijing-based Bytedance. Trump's shift in position could potentially divide the GOP as Congress prepares to vote on a bipartisan bill targeting Bytedance.

House Republican Leadership Pushing Bipartisan TikTok Bill

House Republican leadership is pushing for a bipartisan bill that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok in the U.S. within 180 days or face a ban. Former President Trump has shifted his stance on TikTok, now supporting the bill. The bill has broad bipartisan support in Congress and backing from the Biden White House.

TikTok Divestment Bill

President Joe Biden supports a bill that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban, despite opposition from Donald Trump. The bill is aimed at addressing national security concerns regarding user data and potential Chinese government access.

TikTok users calling Congress to oppose ban

Thousands of TikTok users are calling Congress to oppose a bill that could ban the app due to its ties to China. The bill aims to force owner ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a ban in the U.S. Calls flooded in, with some accusing members of racism and others simply concerned about losing access to the app. The bill has bipartisan support and is seen as a national security measure against potential Chinese spying through TikTok.

Legislation to force ByteDance to divest TikTok

A House committee unanimously advanced legislation to force ByteDance to divest TikTok, despite TikTokers protesting the bill by calling representatives. The bipartisan bill aims to address national security concerns over Chinese ownership of the app.

Billionaire Megadonor Pressuring Congress over TikTok Bill

Billionaire megadonor Jeff Yass is pressuring Republican members of Congress to oppose a bill that would force Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American company or be banned. Yass has threatened to stop funding politicians who support the bill.

Ban on TikTok in the US

A new bill is set for a vote to ban TikTok from US phones and tablets unless it's spun off from its China-linked parent company. The bill has bipartisan support and is opposed by TikTok, which claims it violates First Amendment rights.