TikTok chief executive Kevin Mayer has quit after just two months in the job ahead of an impending ban by US President Donald Trump.
The Chinese-owned firm has been accused of being a threat to US national security by the Trump administration.
Mr Mayer joined TikTok in June after leaving his role as Disney's head of streaming services.
TikTok was given 90 days to be sold to an American firm or face a ban in the US.
"In recent weeks, as the political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for," Mr Mayer said in a letter to employees.
"Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company," Mr Mayer added.
Both TikTok and Chinese messaging app WeChat face bans in the US as tensions rise between Washington and Beijing over a wide range of issues including national security concerns about Chinese tech firms.
"We appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin's role would be going forward, and fully respect his decision. We thank him for his time at the company and wish him well," a spokesman for TikTok said.
Kevin Mayer was brought into TikTok to help give the Chinese-owned app an American image.
The thinking was that the former Disney man would be able to negotiate with a tough-on-China Trump administration better than perhaps a Chinese chief executive and that would help smooth TikTok's path into one of its biggest markets - the US.
Instead, the intense pressure from the Trump administration on TikTok only grew.
President Trump claims TikTok is a national security threat because of who it is owned by, Chinese internet firm ByteDance.
Earlier this month, he signed an executive order that would effectively ban TikTok's operations in the US if it wasn't sold to another company by mid September.
All of this is not what Mr Mayer signed up for when he left Walt Disney to take on the role at TikTok.
And after just two months in the job, he is now departing.
Executive order
President Trump's executive order prohibits transactions with TikTok's owner ByteDance from mid-September.
The firm has gone to court to challenge the ban.
Officials in Washington are concerned that TikTok could pass American users' data to the Chinese government, something ByteDance has denied doing.
TikTok said the Trump administration's move was motivated by politics, not national security.
US tech giant Microsoft has confirmed that it is continuing talks to purchase the US operations of TikTok.
Latest Stories
-
Stanbic Offers financial solutions to members of Ghana Medical Association
3 mins -
“Dmusor” has brought businesses to their knees – GNCCI expresses frustration at ongoing crisis
10 mins -
Ghana’s electricity access likely to increase as World Bank begins initiative
10 mins -
We need a comprehensive data on the culture and creative sector– GCF to Egyapa Mercer
17 mins -
Veil on asset declaration should be lifted – Osafo-Maafo
40 mins -
I have been paid with malt drink and meat pie after performing – Kofi Sarpong
41 mins -
Child mortality drops to 32% nationwide in 2024 – Patrick Kuma-Aboagye
55 mins -
Cedi to bounce back to appreciating trajectory soon – Fitch Solutions
1 hour -
Dumsor: Finance ministry failed to pay power generators over GH₵1.2 billion under the CWM – PURC report
1 hour -
Toddler mauled by dog undergoes successful plastic surgery
1 hour -
Pepsodent champions with #TalkToADentist initiative at World Oral Health Day 2024
2 hours -
Otumfuo holds mega food fair for queen mothers
2 hours -
Manhyia Palace holds successful Feast Ghana event to celebrate Asanteman Queen mothers Day
2 hours -
ACEP supports ECG privatisation to make its operations efficient
2 hours -
Only the Energy Minister can authorise publication of load-shedding timetable – Osafo-Maafo
2 hours