Australia’s very own Vanessa Pappas [feature image] has taken the reins at TikTok, as the social media app prepares for its most significant period to date.
Pappas has been announced as the interim head of TikTok, following the resignation of former CEO Kevin Mayer last week.
“Incredibly proud and humbled to take the role of interim head of TikTok,” Pappas said on her appointment.
“Our community and our team who work so hard to enable this product continue to inspire me. It’s truly amazing what we’ve accomplished in 2 years, I have no doubt what we can accomplish in this next chapter!”
Pappas was previously the general manager for TikTok’s operations in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Although TikTok has confirmed it is on the lookout for a permanent replacement, there is no indication of how long this could take.
This means there is every chance Pappas will be in charge of TikTok if and when the app’s US operations are sold.
US President Donald Trump has previously set a September 15 deadline for Bytedance (TikTok’s parent company) to sell the service in the US – although reports now suggest this date will not be met.
Trump has said he will ban TikTok in the US if a deal is not done.
A number of suitors have already emerged to acquire the app, including Microsoft, Oracle and Walmart.
However, the Financial Times has suggested any sale could be thwarted by new Chinese government rules regarding the export of technology.
