TikTok Confirms Cyberattack; Targeted Brands And Celebrity Accounts

A number of high-profile TikTok accounts have been reportedly targeted in a cyberattack. According to a BBC report, brands and celebrities, including United States news outlet CNN, were targeted. Meanwhile, the video-sharing app stated that it was working with users to restore access to their accounts and added that a "very limited" number of accounts had been compromised.

The social media platform, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has not yet revealed further details regarding the cyberattack, including how it was carried out. Multiple reports indicate that the account of reality TV star Paris Hilton was also targeted but had not been compromised. "We have been collaborating closely with CNN to restore account access and implement enhanced security measures to safeguard their account moving forward," said TikTok, as quoted by the BBC.

TikTok, with millions of users, has been facing questions for a long time over the security of its users' data. Several countries, citing the platform's security, have also banned it on government devices. The US is currently making headlines as the Joe Biden-led administration moved a step closer to banning TikTok.