TikTok’s meteoric rise from a niche video-sharing platform to a global social media powerhouse has made it a cultural phenomenon—particularly among younger generations. However, its success has also triggered intense scrutiny and growing controversy, especially over concerns about its ties to China.
The app faces multiple allegations, including accusations of espionage in the United States, and an ongoing investigation by the European Union into its role in allegedly influencing Romania’s presidential election. As TikTok celebrates over one billion active users worldwide, questions remain about whether the platform is a fun app for entertainment or a potential tool for surveillance.
Romania Election Controversy
The European Union has launched an investigation into whether TikTok was used to sway the results of Romania’s 2024 presidential election, which saw far-right candidate Calin Georgescu secure a surprise victory in the first round. The EU’s inquiry is part of a broader probe into possible Russian interference and TikTok’s alleged “preferential treatment” of Georgescu’s campaign. This is the third investigation the EU has launched against TikTok, with the platform now facing the potential for fines of up to 6% of its global turnover.
TikTok, in response, said it had taken “robust actions” to combat election-related misinformation, and denied that it played a role in influencing the election. Russia has also denied any involvement in meddling with the vote.
Pressure in the United States
In the U.S., TikTok is under increasing pressure from lawmakers who argue that the platform’s Chinese ownership (through ByteDance) poses a national security risk. In April 2024, the U.S. government passed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a potential ban. This follows concerns that TikTok could allow the Chinese government to access sensitive data on American users.
TikTok has admitted that some ByteDance employees in China had access to U.S. user data, but denied any allegations that it shared such information with Chinese authorities. In response to security concerns, several Western governments—including those in the U.S., the EU, and the UK—have banned TikTok from government-issued devices, with some also restricting its use in other contexts.
Teenage Ban in Australia
Despite facing regulatory pushback, TikTok continues to experience explosive growth. The app now boasts over a billion active users, with nearly a third of its audience aged between 10 and 19, according to the Wallaroo agency. However, its widespread popularity among teens has led to increased concerns over its impact on young people.
In November 2024, Australia introduced a landmark law that bans social media platforms like TikTok from allowing users under 16 to access their services. Social media companies that fail to comply with the law face fines of up to AUD 50 million (US$32.5 million) for “systemic breaches.” TikTok expressed disappointment with the legislation, arguing that it could push young users to less-regulated parts of the internet.
Opaque Algorithm and Digital Silos
TikTok’s algorithm, which tailors content to users’ individual preferences, is one of the main reasons behind its success. However, the lack of transparency surrounding how the algorithm works has sparked criticism. The platform is frequently accused of trapping users in “content silos,” leading them to become increasingly isolated in their digital consumption.
Additionally, a report from Forbes revealed that TikTok and ByteDance employees sometimes manually inflate the views of certain videos. TikTok, however, insists that such manual promotion affects only a small fraction of content.
In response to pressure from EU regulators, TikTok also abandoned a controversial feature in its “TikTok Lite” app in France and Spain. The feature allowed users to earn rewards—such as vouchers or gift cards—by watching and interacting with videos. The EU criticized the program for potentially fostering addictive behavior.
Disinformation and Dangerous Content
TikTok continues to face criticism for enabling the spread of dangerous misinformation and harmful content. The app has been linked to several viral “challenge” videos, including the so-called “blackout challenge,” which encourages users to hold their breath until they pass out. Tragically, several children have died attempting to replicate this dangerous trend.
Furthermore, a study by the misinformation watchdog NewsGuard found that around 20% of videos related to topical issues like the Russian invasion of Ukraine contained false or misleading information. To address these issues, TikTok has partnered with fact-checking organizations around the world to help identify and moderate potentially misleading content. The platform pays fact-checkers in several regions, including Asia, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
The Path Forward
As TikTok continues to expand its user base, the platform faces mounting scrutiny from governments, regulators, and the public. With its ties to China under intense examination, concerns over data privacy, misinformation, and its impact on young users remain key issues. Despite these challenges, TikTok’s powerful algorithm and vast user engagement show no signs of slowing down, but the app’s ability to navigate its controversies will shape its future on the global stage.
