Popular platform’s departure could lead to an exodus of social media companies
Hong Kong/New York — ByteDance’s TikTok says it will remove its app from Hong Kong mobile stores, becoming the first internet service to withdraw from the city after Beijing enacted sweeping powers to crack down on national security threats.
Bytedance, the world’s most valuable start-up, operates some of the most popular social media platforms on both sides of the Pacific. TikTok is now the video destination of choice for more than 100-million mainly younger Americans, while its Douyin and Toutiao services are entertainment and news venues for a similar number of Chinese. TikTok said its Hong Kong exit could occur within days.
TikTok’s departure could lead to an exodus of social media companies. Its proclamation comes after internet giants from Facebook to Google and Twitter voiced opposition to national security legislation that grants the Hong Kong government sweeping powers to police the online and public spheres. The US companies said they will not process data requests from the city’s government amid concerns the new security law could criminalise protests.
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