TikTok pulls out from Hong Kong, disappears from app stores
TikTok removed its app from stores in Hong Kong on Friday, confirming its withdrawal from the territory over a controversial national security law imposed by China.
Hong Kong TikTok users can no longer download the app and it was disabled for existing customers. They were greeted with a message saying: "Thank you for the time you’ve spent on TikTok and giving us the the opportunity to bring a little bit of joy into your life! We regret to inform you that we have discontinued operating TikTok in Hong Kong."
TikTok made the decision to leave the city after Beijing implemented a new law giving authorities powers to police online content including requiring technology platforms and internet service providers to delete content or be subject to fines.
Twitter and Facebook said they were pausing requests for user data from Hong Kong law enforcement while they evaluate the new law.
Tik Tok came under fire from the US and India, which suspected the app would be used to hand user data to the Chinese government. The company consistently said it would refuse to hand over information.
App owner ByteDance operates a version of TikTok in China called 'Douyin' but the company said it "does not have plans" to make the alternative app available in Hong Kong.
(Writing by Frank Prenesti, Editing by Michele Maatouk)