- author, Annabel Liang
- role, Business reporter
TikTok says it is responding to a cyber attack targeting multiple brands and celebrities.
The video-sharing app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, told the BBC that a “very limited” number of accounts had been compromised.
The company added that it was working with users to restore access to their accounts.
TikTok did not provide details about who carried out the cyberattack or how it was carried out.
One of the compromised accounts belonged to news outlet CNN.
“We have worked closely with CNN to restore access to the account and have implemented enhanced security measures to protect the account going forward,” a TikTok spokesperson said.
“We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our platform and will continue to monitor for any fraudulent activity.”
CNN did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment.
TikTok said reality TV star Paris Hilton's account was also targeted but not breached.
With more than 10 million followers on TikTok, Hilton is an active user of the platform.
Image source, Getty Images
The news comes as TikTok faces the threat of being banned in the United States unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company.
The platform has millions of users around the world but has faced questions about the security of user data and possible ties to the Beijing government.
It has also emerged as a new social media battleground in the US elections.
Trump, who has gained more than 5 million followers since launching his account on Saturday, said he would use “every tool available to me to speak directly to the American people.”
President Joe Biden also uses Twitter as he seeks reelection in November, but his number of followers is only about 350,000, far fewer than his rival.
