Graphic: TikTok Attracts Users, Scrutiny in Bumpy Ride to Success

From its roots in the app called Musical.ly, the short video service known as TikTok has undergone a meteoric rise to become one of the world’s most popular apps in the last three years. The app is also one of China’s first true success stories outside its home market, with 315 million downloads in this year’s first quarter alone, according to third-party data.

But the app’s ascent has also captured plenty of attention from foreign governments concerned about its Chinese roots and any willingness of its parent, ByteDance, to hand over sensitive user information to Beijing. The app has been investigated and fined in a number of markets over the last two years. Most recently, it has been banned in India and could face similar action in the U.S. — its two largest markets.

Below is a timeline showing highlights of TikTok’s phenomenal growth and development, along with growing regulatory actions against the company as its profile rises.

Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)