The app is owned by the Chinese company Bytedance. The Chinese links mean there are suspicions that users' data are available to Chinese authorities, but Bytedance rejects such claims.

After China's highest legislative body voted last week on a new controversial security law for Hong Kong, Bytedance is now considering removing Tiktok from there within a few days. One way to show that one is free from Chinese pressure but the measure is also called PR coup. 

US Secretary of State critical

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview with Fox News that the US is investigating the possibility of banning Chinese social media apps including Tiktok. Pompeo says in the interview that he is concerned about the content of Tiktok users being shared with Chinese authorities.  

In Australia, MPs want to ban Tiktok because they believe the app poses a threat to national security and poses a risk of espionage. 

Prohibited in India last week

India bans several Chinese apps including Tiktok and Wechat. The decision came after border disputes that erupted between India and China. The Indian market represents almost one third of the app's global market.