TikTok was the most downloaded app in the world last year in 2020. It dethroned and took the top spot from Facebook Messenger, according to digital analytics firm App Annie.
The Chinese video sharing platform is the first non-Facebook app to make the top five downloads in the world.
Who Else Is On The List?
Back in its home country, the parent company of TikTok named ‘ByteDance’ also holds the top spot with the Chinese-language video app Douyin.
TikTok’s continued usage and popularity came even after former US President Donald Trump tried to block it in the United States.
Facebook owned applications have always dominated the top spot since the App Annie’s survey began in 2018. Facebook apps are still holding a major portion in the top list of most downloaded apps in the world.
Mark Zuckerberg’s apps made the rest of the top five with WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger apps all on the list.
Last year, then-President of USA Donald Trump issued a major decree banning new downloads of the TikTok app in the US.
TikTok’s US Ban
Trump said that TikTok poses a threat to national security of the country as the Chinese government has access to user information from America. The company has repeatedly denied the allegations.
A possible deal to solve the problem that would see parent company ByteDance sell part of its US business to US technology giant Oracle and retailer Walmart was given a temporary green light from Mr. Trump but was not approved by the Chinese government.
New Stories Feature On TikTok
Since becoming US President in January this year Joe Biden has revoked Mr Trump’s executive order.
Last week, it emerged that TikTok is trialling a new vanishing clips feature similar to functions on Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram.
TikTok Stories will allow users to see the content posted by their following accounts 24 hours before it is removed, just like its other peers Snapchat and Instagram.
