TikTok

TikTok, known as Douyin in China, was launched into China's app market in September 2016 by its parent company Bytedance. It quickly gained 100 million users within a year.

By September 2017, ByteDance takes Douyin global under the name TikTok, expanding its reach beyond China and gaining traction in various Asian markets.

On 9 November 2017, ByteDance acquired musical.ly, a social media video platform, marking a significant acquisition in its expansion strategy.

On 23 January 2018, the TikTok app achieved the top rank among free application downloads on app stores in Thailand and several other countries, indicating its rapid international growth.

Musical.ly, a popular video-sharing app, merged with TikTok on 2 August 2018, leading to the rise of many internet celebrities and viral trends.

In February 2019, Lil Nas X releases 'Old Town Road' on TikTok, sparking a viral trend that propels the song to the top of Billboard's charts.

On 27 February 2019, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined ByteDance U.S.$5.7 million for collecting information from minors under the age of 13 in violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, leading to the addition of a kids-only mode to TikTok.

In September 2019, allegations surface that TikTok may be censoring content related to protests in Hong Kong and instructing moderators to suppress videos on sensitive topics, raising questions about the platform's compliance with free speech principles.

On 3 September 2019, TikTok and the U.S. National Football League (NFL) revealed a multi-year partnership, leading to new marketing opportunities and the launch of an official NFL TikTok account.

On 25 March 2020, Charli D'Amelio surpassed Loren Gray as the most-followed individual on TikTok, marking a significant milestone in the platform's history.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the U.S. is considering banning TikTok, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the app's future in America.

In July 2020, Egypt sentenced five women to two years in prison over TikTok videos. The court also imposed a fine of 300,000 Egyptian pounds (UK£14,600) on each defendant. The women were charged for encouraging others to earn money on the platform and for dancing.

In August 2020, President Trump issues an executive order banning American companies from engaging in transactions with ByteDance or TikTok, citing national security risks and data privacy issues.

Microsoft Corp's potential acquisition of TikTok's U.S. operations is the latest twist in a rollercoaster two years for the short video app.

Amid rising U.S-China tensions, the White House has threatened to ban TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps, citing national security risks.

President Trump's executive order stated that the ban on transactions involving the TikTok app with ByteDance would be canceled if an American company acquired it. Microsoft had expressed interest in acquiring ByteDance.

The creation of 'Ratatouille the Musical' on TikTok, which started with a song praising the protagonist from Pixar's 2007 film Ratatouille, led to a crowdsourced project involving various elements and culminated in a full virtual presentation, showcasing the platform's role in fostering creative collaborations.

On 14 August 2020, Trump issued another order giving ByteDance 90 days to sell or spin off its U.S. TikTok business due to national security concerns.

China's revised export laws could potentially hinder the divestment of TikTok, impacting the ongoing negotiations and discussions regarding the app's ownership and operations.

Oracle confirms its participation in a proposal submitted by ByteDance to the Treasury Department, where Oracle will act as the 'trusted technology provider,' indicating significant developments in the negotiations surrounding TikTok's operations.

The Commerce Department publishes regulations against TikTok, leading to a phased restriction on its distribution and operations in the U.S., ultimately affecting its accessibility and internet hosting services.

On September 20, 2020, the deadline set by President Trump's executive order for banning transactions involving the TikTok app with ByteDance.

TikTok launched a U.S. election guide within the app to provide information and resources related to the election. This initiative aimed to educate and engage TikTok users in the electoral process.

TikTok creators Marland, Rinab, and Chambers filed a second request for a preliminary injunction, focusing on the Commerce Department's November 12 deadline, which they argued would impact users' access to TikTok content.

U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone granted TikTok creators Marland, Chambers, and Rinab's second request for a preliminary injunction against the TikTok ban, allowing users to continue accessing and posting content on the platform.

In November 2020, a federal judge temporarily halts President Trump's order to ban TikTok, granting the social media platform a reprieve and allowing it to remain available on mobile app stores.

On January 22, 2021, the Italian Data Protection Authority demanded TikTok to temporarily suspend Italian users whose age could not be established, following the death of a 10-year-old Sicilian girl involved in an Internet challenge.

In March 2021, Shou Zi Chew revealed that TikTok had reached 150 million monthly active users in the US and addressed the looming ban threats. He highlighted the potential consequences of a ban on the platform.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order in June 2021 that overturned the proposed bans on TikTok by the previous administration led by Donald Trump. The order demanded TikTok to divest its American business from its Chinese parent company to address security concerns.

Khaby Lame surpassed Charli D'Amelio to become the most-followed individual on TikTok on 23 June 2022, signifying a shift in the platform's top influencers.

On December 30, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, prohibiting the use of the app on devices owned by the federal government, with some exceptions.

TikTok has become one of the most active social media platforms, contributing to its success.

During the Hamas-Israel war in November 2023, Osama bin Laden's 2002 letter denouncing the US and supporting al-Qaeda's war against the US went viral on TikTok and other social media. The letter resurfaced on social media, leading to opposition to US foreign policy and discussions about its significance.

On November 14, 2023, Nepali officials prohibited TikTok citing its disruption of social structures within the South Asian nation.

On January 28, 2024, a documentary titled 'TikTok: Murder Gone Viral' was released on ITVX. The documentary covered the role of TikTok in several high-profile cases involving 'TikTok influencers' and their tragic outcomes.

Following a dispute with TikTok, Universal Music Group decided not to renew its licensing agreement, resulting in its music becoming unavailable on the platform after January 31, 2024. This marked the company's first instance of withdrawing its music from a major platform.

On March 8, 2024, President Joe Biden stated his intention to sign a bill forcing ByteDance to divest TikTok within 180 days, indicating the escalating regulatory challenges faced by the company.