TikTok: Cyberattack hits brands and celebrities

TikTok says it is addressing a cyberattack that targeted several brands and celebrities.

The video-sharing app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, told the BBC that only a “very limited” number of accounts had been compromised.

The company added that it is working with users to restore access to their accounts.

TikTok did not provide any further details about the perpetrators of the cyberattack or how it was carried out.

One of the compromised accounts belonged to the news channel CNN.

“We have worked closely with CNN to restore account access and implement enhanced security measures to protect their account in the future,” a TikTok spokesperson said.

“We are committed to maintaining the integrity of the platform and will continue to monitor for further inauthentic 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 was not compromised.

Hilton, who has over 10 million followers on TikTok, is an active user of the platform.

The news comes as TikTok faces a ban in the US unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company.

The platform has millions of users worldwide, but there are doubts about the security of their data and their ties to the government in Beijing.

In addition, it is emerging as a new social media battleground for the US elections.

Earlier this month, Donald Trump has joined TikTokalthough he had attempted to ban it on national security grounds during his presidency.

Trump, who has amassed more than five million followers since launching his account on Saturday, said he would “use every means available to speak directly to the American people.”

President Joe Biden is also using the platform for his campaign for re-election in November, but has only recorded around 350,000 followers – significantly fewer than his rival.