TikTok (ByteDance)

TikTok is a short-video app owned by ByteDance, a Chinese technology company founded in Beijing in 2012 by Zhang Yiming. ByteDance launched Douyin in China in 2016 and an international version, TikTok, in 2017. In 2018 it merged with Musical.ly, an app it had bought.

Users watch an endless feed of videos, usually under a few minutes, chosen by a recommendation system. Creators film clips with built-in editing tools, music and effects. Challenges, dances and trends spread quickly across the service. TikTok Shop lets creators sell products in videos.

Governments in several countries have questioned its data practices and ties to China. The United States passed a law in 2024 requiring a sale or ban, and the matter went through courts and negotiations. TikTok has offices in Los Angeles, Singapore, Dublin and other cities. ByteDance also runs CapCut, a video editing app, and Lemon8. The company has offices in Beijing and Singapore, and its chief executive since 2021 has been Liang Rubo. Creators and brands both use TikTok for marketing and sales.