TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer has resigned from his post "with a heavy heart" amid US pressure for Chinese owner ByteDance to sell the popular video app.
In a letter to employees, Mr Mayer, a former Disney executive, said he made the decision after "significant reflection", adding that the “political environment has sharply changed”.
It comes after US President Donald Trump ordered a ban on TikTok unless parent company ByteDance sold its US operations to an American company within 90 days. The White House believes the app is a security risk.
“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 the letter.
“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 joined TikTok as CEO in May.
TikTok said it respected Mr Mayer’s decision.
“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,” the company said in a statement.
“We thank him for his time at the company and wish him well.”
