Register

    TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer Resigns Amid U.S. Pressure To Sell Video App

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments2348 Views
    In this July 13, 2015, file photo, then Disney chief strategy officer Kevin Mayer visits the company's "accelerator" space in Glendale, Calif. TikTok CEO Mayer resigned Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 amid U.S. pressure for its Chinese owner to sell the popular video app, which the White House says is a security risk. His resignation comes after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a ban on TikTok, unless parent company Bytedance sells its U.S. operations to an American company within 90 days. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

    By Zen Soo, Technology Writer

    HONG KONG (AP) --

    TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer resigned Thursday amid U.S. pressure for its Chinese owner to sell the popular video app, which the White House says is a security risk.

    In a letter to employees, Mayer said that his decision to leave comes after the "political environment has sharply changed."

    His resignation follows President Donald Trump's order to ban TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells its U.S. operations to an American company within 90 days.

    "I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for," he said in the letter. "Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company."

    Bytedance is currently in talks with Microsoft for the U.S. firm to buy TikTok's U.S. operations.

    Mayer, a former Disney executive, joined TikTok as CEO in May.

    TikTok thanked Mayer. 

    "We appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin's role would be going forward, and fully respect his decision," the company said in a statement. 

    ByteDance launched TikTok in 2017, then bought Musical.ly, a video service popular with teens in the U.S. and Europe, and combined the two. A twin service, Douyin, is available for Chinese users.

    TikTok gained immense popularity via its fun, goofy videos and ease of use, and has hundreds of millions of users globally. 

    But its Chinese ownership has raised concerns about potential censorship of videos, including those critical of the Chinese government, and the risk Beijing may access user data.

    Earlier this month, Trump ordered a sweeping but unspecified ban on dealings with the Chinese owners of consumer apps TikTok and WeChat as the U.S. heightens scrutiny of Chinese technology companies, citing concerns that they may pose a threat to national security.

    REGISTRATION REQUIRED to access this page.

    Already registered? LOGIN
    Don't have an account? REGISTER

    Registration is FREE and FAST.

    The limited access duration has come to an end. (Access was allowed until: 2020-08-29)
    Category:News
    Tags:ByteDanceKevin MayerTikTok



    While Aware Of Potential Oscar History Ahead, Ryan Coogler Is Focused On “Sinners” Team Before Ceremony

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    Ryan Coogler understands what Sunday night could mean for Oscar history. He's just not dwelling on it.

    Instead, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker is looking forward to spending one more night with his "Sinners" collaborators who helped bring the film to life.

    Coogler could become the first Black filmmaker to win best director in the Academy Awards' nearly century-long history. While speaking before the eighth annual Macro Pre-Oscars party Thursday night in Los Angeles, he said he's trying to stay present as the ceremony approaches.

    "I'm just trying to enjoy the days as they come, stay present in the moment," Coogler told The Associated Press. "When Sunday comes, man, I'm pull up and enjoy celebrating all the movies that's being celebrated here, including our own."

    For Coogler, the Oscars also mark the final stop in a monthslong journey shared with the cast and creative team behind "Sinners."

    Since early January, the group has traveled the awards circuit together, appearing at major stops including the Golden Globes,Actors Awards and NAACP Image Awards as the film built momentum ahead of the Oscars, where it's the leading nominee with 16.

    Coogler said that experience helped turn the production into something closer to a family.

    "We made a big ole family," he said. "Sunday kind of represents the last time that we all get to hang with each other in an official capacity as the 'Sinners' team."

    After the ceremony, those gatherings will likely become less frequent.

    "The next time we see each other, it won't be for this movie unless it's doing like a reunion or something," Coogler said. "I'm looking forward to hanging out with a lot of people that I love. We were able to do something very specific... Read More

    MySHOOT Profiles


    Add A Comment