The popular social media app, TikTok, is attempting to distance itself from its Chinese roots, according to a new report. ByteDance Ltd., TikTok’s China-based parent company, reportedly said that it is considering an overhaul to TikTok’s corporate structure amid growing security concerns in the U.S., and other countries. The short video app still currently shares its headquarters with ByteDance in Beijing.
While TikTok was released in China in 2016, it soared to worldwide acclaim in 2017 when it became available on iOS and Android in most other markets throughout the globe. The app found even more popularity in the U.S. market in 2018 when it merged with Musical.ly and became the most downloaded app in the App Store in 2018 and 2019. TikTok has already been downloaded over two billion times globally, since its inception.
According to Bloomberg, one option being considered to reshape the image of the app in a better light, is to open its own headquarters outside of China. There is no news yet on where TikTok’s new HQ might be, but it does already have global offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. Another big move for TikTok’s business strategy came in June, when China based CEO Alex Zhu handed control over to Los Angeles-based Chief Kevin Mayer, a former Disney executive. It is clear that ByteDance is making a clear effort to increase ties to the U.S. while attempting to leave its Chinese history behind like an old version of its software, but will it be enough to put the minds of other countries at ease?
TikTok Denies Threat To Privacy, But Is That Enough?
While the decision to replace its Chinese CEO with a U.S. Citizen and move its global headquarters outside of China shows progress and good faith, there are still plenty of concerns worldwide about the social media app’s attacks on privacy and its gathering of user data. These moves come during a particularly turbulent few weeks for the company. Last week, India banned the app completely due to security and privacy concerns threatening the sovereignty of the country and its citizens. President Trump has also threatened to ban the app in the U.S. entirely, not only as retaliation against China over the origin of COVID-19, but also over concerns of U.S. citizens’ data falling into the hands of China. Just this week, TikTok drew the ire of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department over its data collecting practices. Several privacy groups have alleged that TikTok was collecting the details of children under thirteen, without parental permission. This is a direct violation of U.S. privacy law.
Meanwhile, TikTok continues to push to transform its image in the U.S. The company has hired a multitude of new employees in Washington to help lobby public officials and also announced what it calls Global Transparency Centers in Los Angeles and D.C. for, “moderation and data practices.” Only time will tell whether ByteDance and TikTok truly are doing everything they can to keep user privacy and data safe. What it clear is that TikTok is making a comprehensive effort to separate itself from the negative image of the Chinese Communist Party. However, the fact that the company’s data practices have raised questions, among several large countries, is still cause for concern. The United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, is still encouraging U.S. citizens not to download the TikTok app.
