On Thursday, TikTok, the fast-growing smartphone video service, vowed to contribute $250 million to the worldwide coronavirus relief effort.
TikTok, who has been criticized by U.S. authorities and politicians for possible security threats, said the funds will go to “the front line of medical workers, educators, and local communities deeply affected by the global crisis.”
The move follows similar moves from technology giants such as Google, Facebook, and Netflix, along with Microsoft, Amazon, and Twitter executives.
TikTok president Alex Zhu said in a statement:
“We are committed to playing our part in that global outpouring of mutual support and giving,”
“We want to magnify all we are seeing across our community and translate it into concrete relief for those most affected by this crisis.”
TikTok said that $150 million of the funds will be allocated for medical staff, supplies, and hardship relief for health care workers through the United States Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organisation, and other agencies working to distribute supplies in countries hard hit by the virus.
Additionally, $40 million will be donated to “organizations that serve groups representative of TikTok’s diverse user communities, including musicians, artists, nurses, educators, and families that have come together on our platform,” Zhu said.
TikTok said it will match $10 million in contributions to its “community relief fund,” with some of this going to musicians, songwriters, and music professionals affected by canceled gigs.
Another $50 million will be applied to a “creative learning fund” to support distance learning efforts worldwide.
The Panthera Post 