Alex Gherman discusses how TikTok has established itself as a powerhouse in entertainment and social media since its launch in 2016, touting 1.2 billion active monthly users and bringing in annual revenue of $4.6 billion as of the end of 2021. This popularity has not flourished without its share of criticism and scrutiny, especially considering the app’s origins and ownership within China. These concerns are largely aimed at issues of privacy and the use of the platform as an information weapon.