ByteDance (TikTok)

> About

TikTok's AI recommendation algorithms. Massive surveillance, data collection, AI-powered content manipulation. Chinese-owned.

Website

https://bytedance.com

CEO

Shou Zi Chew

Founded

2012

Valuation

$220B+

> Founders

Zhang Yiming

> Products & Services

TikTok AI algorithmsrecommendation engine

> Layoffs

U.S. e-commerce team layoffs amid challenges with tariffs and centralization under China-based executives

Source

500 employees

Content moderation team layoffs in Malaysia, shift towards AI-driven content moderation

Source

60 employees

Workforce reduction primarily in sales and advertising departments across multiple offices

Source

Significant layoffs in gaming division (Nuverse) after two years of underperformance

Source

> Controversies

AI tool Trae covertly collecting user data and transmitting to ByteDance servers even when telemetry disabled[1]

Controversy 1 Sources:

  1. ByteDance AI tool caught spying on users(2025-08)

€530 million EU fine for transferring European users' data to China without adequate protection, violating GDPR[2]

Controversy 2 Sources:

  1. TikTok hit by €530 million fine in the EU(2025-05)

U.S. law requiring ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face ban due to national security concerns over potential data sharing with Chinese government[3]

Controversy 3 Sources:

  1. Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act(2024-04)

> Tags

automationsurveillancedata scrapingcontroversymajor player