TikTok has breached the 100 million monthly users mark in Europe as young people across the continent embrace video-based pranks, dancing and lip-syncing.
The news follows reports that TikTok’s parent firm, ByteDance, will not sell its US operations to Microsoft, choosing instead a consortium led by Oracle as its “technology partner”.
TikTok’s new numbers
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The video app platform now counts 100 million active users across Europe each month.
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In tandem with this rise, TikTok’s European employees have risen from 1,000 to 1,600 – 1,300 of whom are based in the UK and Ireland, which has emerged as the front runner to host TikTok’s European HQ.
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The bumper stats follow the ’It starts on TikTok’ brand campaign and confirmation of a $500m Dublin data centre.
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Earlier this month, TikTok launched its Creator Fund in Europe – a €250m investment over the next three years to help creators monetise their work, and which has been embraced by 40% of those eligible in just two weeks.
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Rich Waterworth, the TikTok general manager for Europe, said: “TikTok is a home for positive, creative expression. And from beauty, comedy and education to magic, music and sport, we offer a brand of joyful entertainment that’s authentic, relatable and truly diverse.“
Why is this a big deal?
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Last month, TikTok revealed it had 100 million monthly active users in the US – an 800% rise from January 2018.
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It also now cites 50 million daily active users in the US.
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The TikTok app has been downloaded around 2bn times globally.
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With the European reveal, TikTok has now demonstrated impressive traction on both sides of the Atlantic.
What’s happening with TikTok in the US?
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Amid this success, TikTok has become embroiled in a lawsuit with the US government.
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President Trump has threatened to shut down the app as early as Tuesday barring the sale of the company’s US arm to an American buyer.
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Behind the scenes, machinations have seen TikTok parent ByteDance abandon the sale in favour of a partnership with Oracle.
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However, ByteDance has thus far remained tight-lipped regarding its intentions.
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