TikTok has grown from a niche app to a global social media phenomenon, boasting over 1.04 billion monthly active users as of 2024. However, its meteoric rise has been accompanied by significant controversies worldwide, ranging from data security to its impact on users and society.
In Albania, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a one-year TikTok ban starting in 2025 following a tragic altercation in Tirana, where a 14-year-old was killed after an online dispute escalated. Rama labeled TikTok the “thug of the neighborhood.”
In Romania, TikTok is at the center of a European Union investigation after far-right candidate Calin Georgescu’s surprise victory in the first round of the presidential election. EU regulators are probing allegations of Russian interference and potential favoritism by TikTok. This marks the platform’s third EU inquiry, with possible fines reaching six percent of its global revenue. TikTok claims it is fighting election misinformation, while Russia denies involvement.
In the United States, TikTok faces an existential threat. ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, has been ordered to divest by January 2025 due to concerns about Chinese access to American user data. Although ByteDance admitted to its employees accessing U.S. user data, it denies sharing information with Chinese authorities. Failure to comply could lead to a nationwide ban, putting its 170 million U.S. users at risk.
Australia recently passed a law prohibiting under-16s from using social media platforms, including TikTok, with penalties of up to AU$50 million for violations. TikTok expressed disappointment, warning that such measures could drive young users to unregulated digital spaces.
In Europe, TikTok faced backlash for addictive features, leading regulators to force the removal of a reward system in its TikTok Lite version. The app has also been criticized for hosting dangerous trends, such as the blackout challenge, which has reportedly resulted in child fatalities.
Despite these challenges, TikTok’s growth is unmatched. U.S. users spend an average of nearly an hour daily on the app, contributing to its $16 billion revenue in 2023. The platform saw 137 million downloads in the first quarter of 2024, maintaining its dominance in the social media sphere.
TikTok’s unprecedented growth has reshaped the digital landscape, but its influence remains under intense scrutiny as it continues to navigate geopolitical tensions, regulatory pressures, and ethical concerns.