June 2023
Case
HBS Case Collection

ByteDance: TikTok and the Trials of Going Viral in 2023

By: William C. Kirby, Noah B. Truwit and John P. McHugh

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:28

Abstract

In March 2023, Chew, with an army of well-paid U.S. lobbyists and TikTok creators, descended on Washington. In his testimony, he planned to highlight the 150 million daily active American users on TikTok and how the platform had benefitted small business owners and creative spirits. However, for American lawmakers and national security experts, could Chew detail a credible strategy that would allay their fears and safeguard American user data? Or would the company’s centerstage testimony further stoke opposition to the short-video app and quash its U.S. ambition?

Keywords

Social Media; International Relations; Government Legislation; China; United States

Citation

Kirby, William C., Noah B. Truwit, and John P. McHugh. "ByteDance: TikTok and the Trials of Going Viral in 2023." Harvard Business School Case 323-120, June 2023.