British artists ‘shortchanged by Chinese iron grip of TikTok’

THE “Chinese technological iron grip” of TikTok risks leaving musicians with a raw deal on royalties, a former tech minister has warned.

Damian Collins accused the wildly popular social media app of trying to cut out artists by blocking users’ access to music on the platform.

TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has been carrying out a trial in Australia that limits the number of songs users can include with their videos.

The move forms part of efforts by TikTok to prove that music is not crucial to the app’s success, amid a clash with record labels over royalties.

But Mr Collins, who was tech minister between July and October last year, said TikTok’s test was “silencing creators in favour of its own selfinterests”. The Tory MP accused TikTok of “degrading” the music experience for users and said artists and songwriters were getting little in return for their contributions towards the success of the app.

He said: “We cannot quietly stand by and let ByteDance and TikTok stifle our world-leading creative sector with their Chinese technological iron grip while enriching themselves from it.

“This suffocation of creative and commercial freedom must not be allowed to go any further – it must not be allowed to happen here in the UK.”

Music has been a key part of TikTok’s success, with the app claiming that 10 out of the 12 number ones on the official UK singles chart last year were driven by TikTok trends.

Some artists have used the app as a platform to launch their careers, most notably Grammy winner Lil Nas X, whose hit song Old Town Road became a viral sensation.

However, record companies including Universal, Sony and Warner have argued that artists should receive more payment.

Mr Collins said: “It doesn’t seem too much to ask … for TikTok to let users keep accessing the music they love, and to treat creators fairly.”

A TikTok spokesman said: “Some of our community in Australia will not be able to access our full TikTok Sounds library at the moment.

“This will only affect certain music and is scheduled work while we analyse how sounds are accessed and added to videos.

“We look forward to restoring our full catalogue soon.”