Authorities arrested seven individuals involved in a global child sexual abuse material ring, revealing that illegal content was purchased via ads on TikTok. The incident raises concerns about TikTok's content moderation practices and its responsibility to protect vulnerable users.

President Trump signed an executive order extending TikTok's operation by an additional 75 days, delaying enforcement of the ban law that would have forced ByteDance to divest its stake. This delay allows TikTok to continue serving its global user base amid high-stakes trade and diplomatic tensions.

On April 4, 2025, President Donald Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, to secure a non-Chinese buyer by an additional 75 days, averting an immediate ban. TikTok has not commented on or confirmed any active pursuit of such a buyer, reflecting the complex political pressures the company faces. This development underscores TikTok’s position as a target of authoritarian measures, with its previous legal challenges to similar bans indirectly highlighting its resistance against coercive political actions.

In 2024, Congress passed a law mandating that TikTok come under U.S. ownership to address national security concerns linked to its Chinese parent, prompting the Trump administration to extend a pause on enforcement on April 4, 2025. This regulatory move has spotlighted the risks inherent in dual‐class corporate structures and concentrated decision‐making.

Amid President Trump’s sweeping tariff measures and a broader trade war, Amazon has submitted a late bid to acquire TikTok ahead of a deadline requiring the Chinese‐owned social media platform to sell or divest its U.S. operations to avoid a ban.

The Trump administration is finalizing a proposal that would force TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest its stake, potentially involving investors such as Blackstone and Oracle. The proposal, set to be considered in an Oval Office meeting, comes amid national security concerns and signals an authoritarian intervention in tech ownership.

TikTok officially launched its TikTok Shop in the U.S. as part of a strategic partnership with QVC, enabling nonstop live shopping streams and shoppable content. This initiative aims to diversify digital commerce and broaden market access for creators and consumers alike.

In a March 30, 2025 transcript of 'Face the Nation,' Senator Mark Warner raised concerns about TikTok's pending acquisition talks, warning that if the platform’s core algorithm remains under Chinese control, it could be manipulated to serve propaganda purposes and undermine national security. The senator highlighted that a Chinese-held algorithm would negate the promised changes from any new ownership, thereby perpetuating authoritarian influence.

A Columbus Grove incident revealed that non-consensual images posted on TikTok contributed to a sustained campaign of cyberbullying against a young student. The harmful content, combined with inadequate content moderation, highlights the platform’s failure to safeguard vulnerable users.

A network of Spanish-language TikTok accounts spreading immigration misinformation highlighted the platform’s role in enabling divisive political content and fueling anti-immigrant sentiment. Despite later takedowns by TikTok, concerns remain about how the platform’s algorithm and content moderation practices inadvertently facilitate the spread of authoritarian narratives.

In response to Canadian intelligence warnings about potential foreign interference in the upcoming snap election, TikTok has pledged to bolster its platform safeguards by removing harmful misinformation and partnering with fact-checkers. While this move appears to support democratic processes, its Chinese ties continue to raise concerns about potential censorship and undue influence.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's recruitment campaign used TikTok to publicize military draft incentives tied to fast food, raising concerns about the platform's role in amplifying politically manipulative content.

Jewish celebrities and content creators have urged TikTok executives to address a surge in antisemitic content on the platform, with prominent figures asserting that TikTok is enabling a movement reminiscent of Nazi-era hate.

Content moderators working for Telus Digital, an outsourcing partner for TikTok, have filed a lawsuit alleging poor working conditions and retaliation against union activities. The incident raises concerns over TikTok's responsibility for ensuring ethical labor practices in its global operations.

Low-paid content moderators, employed by Telus Digital for TikTok content moderation, have initiated a lawsuit over alleged union-busting firings, raising serious concerns about labor rights and ethical treatment of workers in TikTok's outsourcing practices.

Following industry trends in enhanced child safety measures, TikTok introduced new parental controls last month, building on efforts by other social media giants to safeguard underage users.

Following a controversial Supreme Court decision that set a precedent for government censorship globally, TikTok temporarily shuttered its U.S. service and later resumed operations after receiving a written assurance from then-President-elect Trump. This compliance under pressure raises concerns about the company’s political behavior, media influence, and willingness to yield to authoritarian demands.

TikTok has come under intense scrutiny for alleged censorship practices, potential algorithm manipulation to favor authoritarian narratives, and controversial data collection methods that raise national security concerns in the U.S. Critics argue that these practices contribute to the undermining of democratic norms and fuel fears of corporate complicity in authoritarian agendas.

In a controversial move, TikTok cooperated with President Trump's decision to delay the enforcement of a ban, effectively leveraging political dynamics to secure a reprieve. This decision, aimed at keeping the platform available in the U.S., reflects behavior that aligns the company with authoritarian tactics, prioritizing political favor over democratic accountability.

In a controversial public statement, TikTok thanked President Trump for his intervention that allowed the platform to restore service in the U.S. This move highlights the company’s willingness to engage with authoritarian executive actions to safeguard its operations, raising serious concerns about its political alignment and potential complicity in undermining democratic checks and balances.

TikTok's CEO Shou Zi Chew openly thanked President Trump for his role in reversing the US ban on TikTok, highlighting extensive lobbying and direct political engagement that align the company with an authoritarian agenda, potentially undermining democratic oversight.

Amnesty International criticizes TikTok's surveillance-based business model for infringing on privacy and contributing to harmful content proliferation. The report argues that bans will not address systemic issues and calls for comprehensive regulations to protect human rights in the digital age.

Amnesty International has condemned TikTok for its surveillance-based business model, highlighting how its use of sensitive personal data and addictive content mechanisms poses significant human rights risks, especially to vulnerable groups such as young users.

An opinion piece in The Hill argues that banning TikTok would suppress free speech and undermine a digital platform that empowers marginalized communities, independent creators, and small businesses. The article highlights TikTok’s proactive steps—such as Project Texas—to address data security concerns while emphasizing its role as a modern town square for democratic discourse.

Documents and recordings obtained amid an employment discrimination lawsuit allege that TikTok compelled an American executive and other staff to sign oaths affirming allegiance to China’s socialist system. Critics argue that this coercive practice underscores deep ties with ByteDance and an authoritarian internal governance structure that compromises both democratic norms and workers’ rights.

TikTok and its owner ByteDance are actively fighting to keep the platform available in the United States as Congress and the administration push for a law that would force its sale or ban. Free-speech advocates argue that the law mirrors censorship practices associated with authoritarian regimes and have urged the Supreme Court to reconsider the legislation.

ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has significantly increased its U.S. lobbying expenditures and redirected campaign donations to both Democrats and Republicans amid threats of a forced divestiture or ban. This strategic move aims to influence legislative outcomes and block restrictive measures, raising concerns about corporate complicity in undermining democratic processes.

In 2024, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, spent over $7 million on lobbying Congress and a consumer-facing advertising campaign in swing states to educate policymakers and prevent a proposed TikTok ban that critics argue would infringe on free speech rights and harm small businesses.

TikTok fired Black employees who raised concerns about racism and discrimination, highlighting troubling labor practices and a disregard for worker rights and inclusivity.

Two Black TikTok workers have come forward alleging that after filing complaints regarding racial discrimination and biased treatment, they were fired. The incident, which has led to an EEOC charge and potential class action, highlights systemic failures in TikTok's handling of employee grievances and its approach to labor rights and human diversity.

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, dramatically increased its federal lobbying spending in 2022 and 2023, raising concerns about its potential influence over U.S. policy and democratic processes amid heightened scrutiny of its Chinese ties.

Leaked memo reveals that TikTok is contemplating an independent audit of its partner Majorel's operations in Kenya over potential labor rights violations, amid concerns that a Kenyan court ruling against Meta could set a precedent for scrutinizing labor practices.

Two third-party content moderators have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that prolonged exposure to disturbing content—ranging from violent imagery to extremely graphic material—has resulted in significant psychological harm. This case raises serious concerns about the company's labor practices and its responsibility toward protecting the mental well‐being of those reviewing such content.

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance spent over $13 million on lobbying Congress since 2019. This lobbying campaign is viewed as an attempt to influence legislative actions and protect corporate interests, raising concerns about the company’s role in undermining democratic accountability and contributing to authoritarian practices.

Between 2019 and 2023, TikTok and its parent company ByteDance spent over $13 million lobbying U.S. Congress, including promoting its Project Texas initiative to address national security and data privacy concerns. During this period, CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before a House committee, emphasizing steps to secure U.S. customer data, despite ongoing concerns by lawmakers regarding Chinese access to sensitive information.

On March 23, 2023, TikTok CEO Shou Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, addressing concerns over consumer data privacy, potential Chinese Communist Party influence through ByteDance ties, and the promotion of harmful content. His testimony, which included discussion of measures like Project Texas, did little to dispel worries about TikTok’s opaque practices and evasive answers regarding surveillance and algorithmic manipulation.

On March 23, 2023, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee amid intense bipartisan scrutiny over national security and data privacy concerns, particularly regarding the app’s ties to the Chinese government and its efforts to safeguard US user data through Project Texas.

On March 22, 2023, TikTok orchestrated a high-profile political engagement by rallying influencers and hiring prominent lobbyists, including former senators, to defend the app against potential bans and governmental overreach. CEO Shou Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, emphasizing the company’s efforts to protect the livelihoods of its 150+ million U.S. users.

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have significantly ramped up their lobbying efforts in the U.S., spending over $8 million in 2023. This includes a record $2.68 million on in‐house lobbying and more than $4.5 million on television and digital ad campaigns to counter potential legislation that could force a divestiture or ban in the United States.

An analysis of TikTok's opaque content moderation and censorship practices that have led to the suppression of politically sensitive topics and minority voices, raising concerns about its complicity in supporting authoritarian narratives.