As the parent company ByteDance looks to go public in an early IPO, users of the popular social media platform TikTok may wonder what is the difference between the short-video platform and its Chinese counterpart, Douyin.

Douyin is the version of TikTok that is being used throughout China while the latter is known throughout the Western world. Both platforms allow for short videos to be created, offering a range of effects and music to be added by its users.

TikTok has as many as 100 million users in the U.S. and 100 million users in Europe, CNBC reported in September. In China, Douyin has over 400 million users, trailing behind Chinese social media site WeChat, according to a report by eMarketer.

Reuters first reported that ByteDance is looking to take its company public in Hong Kong, citing two people familiar with the matter.

The news of the ByteDance IPO comes as TikTok gains in popularity across the U.S., and President Donald Trump calls for a ban on the Chinese social media site’s use as concerns over shared personal data with China’s government increase.

Trump’s proposed ban was shut down by a judge in September. ByteDance has also been in talks to sell its TikTok arm to Walmart in the U.S.

Critics have slammed President Donald Trump's call for the US government to get a cut of the sale of TikTok, saying that it appears unconstitutional and akin to extortion
Critics have slammed President Donald Trump's call for the US government to get a cut of the sale of TikTok, saying that it appears unconstitutional and akin to extortion AFP / Denis Charlet
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