TikTok news covering ByteDance, US divestiture and ban battles, creator economy, algorithm changes, and TikTok's global regulatory fights.
The Justice Department reversed a 2022 ban, allowing federal employees to download TikTok on government devices. The decision cites a completed deal transferring U.S. user data to TikTok USDS, with American investors holding 80.1% of the venture. The divestiture was prompted by a 2024 law requiring ByteDance to divest control or face a ban.
TikTok is testing an opt-in tool that scans for AI-generated content using a creator's likeness and allows reporting unauthorized uses. The tool is initially available to some US creators, who must verify identity via Jumio with a real-time selfie scan and ID check.
This commentary argues that the TikTok trend of playing saxophones loudly is a form of digital rebellion and self-expression among Gen Z. It contends that the trend reflects a desire for authenticity and connection in an increasingly curated online world, while also critiquing the commodification of music on social media platforms.
TikTok is launching a managed services program in the US that gives it more control over sellers' operations, including marketing and content creation. The pilot, starting in August 2026, charges a $10,000 flat fee plus 10-20% commission per sale, and is open to US and foreign sellers.
Amanda Serrano will defend her WBA and WBO women's Featherweight titles against Lucrecia Manzur on August 21, 2026, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, in the first championship boxing match streamed live on TikTok. The bout will be contested over 12 two-minute rounds, a first for a unified women's world title fight.
President Trump posted a TikTok video on Saturday claiming he is 'No. 1 on TikTok' and ending with 'stop communism.' He held up a paper citing 425 billion all-time views of #TRUMP TikToks. The video had nearly 3 million views by Thursday.
Vendasta earned a Marketing Technology badge in the TikTok Marketing Partners Program as a Channel Sales Partner, enabling partners to launch and manage TikTok ad campaigns through Vendasta MatchCraft. This allows local business advertisers to reach TikTok's billion-user community.