In response to media reports that TikTok is setting up a global headquarters in the UK, the video-sharing platform's parent company ByteDance said that the headquarters for TikTok's non-Chinese operations has not yet been finalized.
The Sunday Times reported yesterday that TikTok plans to set up its global headquarters in the UK and invest £3 billion to help boost employment in the country.
According to the BBC News, ByteDance's plans for an overseas headquarters may not go ahead given the recent pressure on TikTok from several countries over information security.
BBC News also said that ByteDance has stopped discussions with the UK.
However, according to the Securities Times, a ByteDance spokesperson said that ByteDance is committed to becoming a global company and that the headquarters for TikTok's non-Chinese operations has not yet been finalized.
TikTok currently employs about 1,000 people in Europe, most of whom are based in the U.K. and Ireland.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that ByteDance was considering changes to TikTok's corporate structure as it comes under scrutiny overseas.
According to the report, the company's executives are discussing options including creating a new management board for TikTok or establishing a headquarters outside of China as early as December, with Singapore, London and Dublin all candidate locations.
Currently, TiKTok does not have a global headquarters, and newly appointed CEO Kevin Meyer is primarily based in Los Angeles.
