The meteoric rise of TikTok, a Chinese-owned video app, has transformed the global digital landscape, sparking intense scrutiny and international debate over data privacy, censorship, and the addictive nature of its powerful recommendation algorithm. As the platform navigates complex geopolitical tensions and accusations of being a tool for foreign surveillance, it continues to redefine social media marketing, creating a massive creator economy that challenges established tech giants and reshapes how users interact with content worldwide.