TOPLINE
The super-popular video-sharing app TikTok announced plans to add 10,000 jobs in the US, even as concerns grow from the federal government and private corporations that the Chinese app may be used to spy on US users. USA
TikTok was the most downloaded application in the first quarter of this year.
KEY FACTS
TikTok currently has 1,400 employees in the US, up from January 500; The company announced Tuesday that it would hire 10,000 more in the next three years, reports Axios.
TikTok, a short-form video social media app that’s hugely popular with Generation Z, is the most downloaded app for the first quarter of 2020, according to AdWeek.
On Monday, the House voted to ban federal employees from downloading the app, fearing that Chinese officials may use it to spy on US lawmakers because of historically close ties between large Chinese corporations and the government.
Employees of the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, TSA, Wells Fargo, RNC and DNC are already prohibited from downloading the app, according to Business Insider.
The Beijing-based company will hire for engineering, sales, content moderation and customer service jobs with employees in California, Texas, Florida and Tennessee, a company spokesperson said. Axios.
President Trump said he is considering a nationwide ban on the app, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, out of concern that it could be used as a spy or propaganda tool for the Chinese government.
TikTok also hired 35 Washington lobbyists, including one with “deep ties” to President Trump, according to the New York Times.
The company denies Chinese government affiliation: “We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do if asked,” a company spokesperson said. Political last week.
Still, India has banned the country’s TikTok, calling the app and other Chinese apps a “threat to sovereignty and integrity.”
Big number
2 billion. That’s the number of downloads TikTok accumulated at the end of April, according to Sensor Tower.
Key background
With increased scrutiny from American leaders, TikTok announced that it will open transparency centers in Los Angeles and Washington DC for people to see content moderation in progress. Due to the app’s huge adolescent audience, there has been a lot of concern about protecting minor users, prompting the company to release its first transparency report in early July stating that 24.8% of the over 49 Millions of videos deleted between July and December last year violated their minor security policies, according to Axios.
Further reading
TikTok reveals content moderation statistics amid mounting global pressureAxios)
Exclusive: Under fire in Washington, TikTok promises job growth in the United StatesAxios)
‘It’s something we’re seeing’: the ban on Pompeo floats on TikTok (Political)
Trump is considering banning the Chinese social media app TikTok. See the full list of countries, companies and organizations that have already banned it. (Business Insider)
TikTok recruits army of lobbyists as suspicions about ties to China growNew York Times)
