Beijing; After almost five years with the company, TikTok's COO, V Pappas, is leaving the well-known social media platform.
Pappas, who uses the pronouns she, her, and they, explained in a note to staff members on Thursday morning that she felt it was time to move on and concentrate on her "entrepreneurial passions" now that the business has experienced significant success. The note was later shared on Twitter.
In a note to staff members, TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi announced that Pappas, one of the company's most recognisable faces, will continue to act as a strategic advisor.
Chew wrote, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank V for their numerous contributions over the years. "During their tenure at TikTok, they have played a key role in expanding the company's market share, supporting the business, enhancing our product offerings and marketing initiatives, and cultivating a supportive community of creators and users. We sincerely appreciate their tireless efforts because they have had a significant and lasting impact.
When then-CEO Kevin Mayer left the company after only three months in the position, Pappas, who had joined TikTok in 2018 as general manager, was given the opportunity to take over as interim CEO. The former YouTube representative took over as COO the following year and has since testified on Capitol Hill and made media appearances to defend the company vehemently, which has come under scrutiny from lawmakers worried about its Chinese origins.
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For years, TikTok has resisted allegations that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, would give the Chinese government access to user data from its well-known video-sharing app or disseminate propaganda and false information on its behalf. The Biden administration, which earlier this year threatened to outlaw the company if its Chinese owners did not sell their shares, is currently in negotiations with the company over its data privacy plans.
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According to TikTok, it has never been asked by the Chinese government to share user data from US users and would not if it were.
Chew also announced a reorganisation of the company's organisational structure in his email to the staff.
As chief brand and communications officer, Zenia Mucha will take charge of TikTok's marketing and PR division after nearly two decades as a communications executive at Disney.
Adam Presser, TikTok's chief of staff, will take over as the organization's operations chief, according to Chew.
