But in going global, the China-originated ByteDance could encounter heightened distrust and scrutiny especially as security concerns have enveloped Chinese telecom giant Huawei in readying the launch of its fifth generation, high-speed networks internationally.
Despite regulatory and other challenges, ByteDance is building an empire of apps for a new generation and challenging the borders drawn around traditional digital content.
The scrappy, goofy, fast-moving content has hooked young audiences around the world.
As a privately financed digital content startup founded by a tech entrepreneur, ByteDance has a with the Chinese government and its grip on state-owned conglomerates.
He rolled out an overseas equivalent of the Douyin video app, dubbed TikTok, in 2017.
Aimed at teens, Lasso can only be accessed through Facebook or Instagram, and so far is limited to U.