TikTok Shuts Down Its LA Headquarters After a Series of Online Threats

TikTok closed its Los Angeles offices on Thursday and Friday after employees reported receiving a series of online threats, according to two current staffers and a representative from the Culver City Police Department.

The police said they arrested a suspect on Friday they believe was connected to the threats. TikTok’s Culver City office will remain closed through the weekend, the police said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, security evacuated the location,” the police department said in a press release.

The threats were posted to social-media platforms like X and Rumble and appeared to be related to TikTok Shop, according to current and former staffers who shared several screenshots with Business Insider. The user’s X account has since been suspended for violating the platform’s “Hateful Profile Policy.”

“It was the TikTok team who saw something of concern and reached out immediately to our department,” the Culver City Police Department spokesperson said. “As a result, our department was able to move quickly, intercede, and bring this situation to a peaceful resolution.”

One TikTok staffer described the threats as “really scary,” while a second was concerned that they targeted the company’s e-commerce department specifically.

TikTok is a top 10 employer in Culver City, according to the city’s most recent financial report for the fiscal year ending in 2024. Culver City, located just outside Los Angeles, is a major entertainment hub and home to studios such as Sony Pictures.

TikTok and its owner, ByteDance, did not respond to requests for comment.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at dwhateley@businessinsider.com or Signal at @danwhateley.94. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here’s our guide to sharing information securely.