TikTok, the wildly popular social media platform, has been in the crosshairs of regulators and lawmakers for its handling of user safety and privacy issues. The company has faced several high-profile controversies in recent months, including allegations of facilitating the spread of misinformation and hosting dangerous challenges and trends that put users at risk. In the latest blow to the company, TikTok’s Trust & Safety chief, Vanessa Pappas, has announced her resignation.

Pappas had been with TikTok since 2018 and was instrumental in the company’s efforts to build trust and safety features to protect its users. She served as the interim CEO of TikTok’s US operations during the Trump administration’s attempts to ban the app in the country. Her departure comes at a critical time for the company, which is facing increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers around the world.

The news of Pappas’ resignation was announced in an internal memo from TikTok’s CEO, Shouzi Chew. In the memo, Chew praised Pappas for her contributions to the company and said that she had “built and led one of the strongest and most effective Trust & Safety teams in the industry.” He added that the company would continue to prioritize user safety and privacy under the leadership of Eric Tan, who will be taking over as the new head of Trust & Safety.

Pappas’ resignation follows a string of controversies for TikTok, including the discovery of a glitch that allowed users to post explicit content to the platform’s “For You” page, which is the main feed that users see when they open the app. The company has also faced criticism for its handling of user data and privacy, with some accusing it of sharing data with the Chinese government.

In response to the growing concerns, TikTok has taken several steps to improve its safety and privacy features. The company has hired thousands of moderators to review content and has implemented age-verification measures to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content. It has also rolled out new tools that allow users to filter out certain types of content and has partnered with outside organizations to provide educational resources on online safety.

However, despite these efforts, TikTok continues to face criticism and regulatory scrutiny. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently fined the company $5.7 million for violating child privacy laws, while in the UK, regulators are investigating the company’s data practices. TikTok is also facing a potential ban in India, one of its largest markets, over concerns about national security and privacy.

Pappas’ departure highlights the challenges that TikTok and other social media platforms face in balancing user safety and privacy with the need to provide engaging content to their users. It also underscores the growing pressure that companies like TikTok are facing from regulators and lawmakers, who are increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on users’ mental health, privacy, and safety.