China’s TikTok denies report of delay in launch of US shopping platform

TikTok said on Wednesday the launch of its US shopping platform has not been delayed, denying a report from the Wall Street Journal earlier in the day that said it was pushed to June from early spring.

The report, which cited unnamed sources, said the app’s Chinese owner ByteDance’s decision was based on growing concerns about the platform’s US future.

A TikTok spokesperson said in an email statement to Reuters that the launch has not been delayed.


"We’re committed to our strategy of testing and learning, and we’re excited to continue expanding our test in the US by inviting more merchants to join us as interest in Shop continues to grow," the spokesperson said.

As of March, TikTok had 150 million monthly active users in the United States, up from 100 million in 2020. But the app is facing pressure in Washington, including calls for ban by many in Congress who fear its US user data could fall into the hands of Chinese government.

Last week, the video platform said it was launching a product that will let advertisers place ads alongside content made by premium publishers, who will shares half of the ad revenue.