TechCrunch Daily Crunch TikTok recovers from dip in usage
Feb 4, 2026
Coverage of TikTok’s brief U.S. user drop after an ownership change and the app’s rebound. Discussion of rival apps that spiked as people explored alternatives. Concerns about privacy policy language and CCPA disclosures and how outage-related glitches fueled fear. Notes on recovery and the platform’s longer-term daily user trends.
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Window Heat Pumps Networked For Buildings
- Gradient builds horseshoe-shaped heat pumps that heat and cool without blocking views.
- The startup links units in multifamily buildings and has run pilots with NYCHA and colleges.
TikTok Bounce Back After Short Dip
- TikTok's daily U.S. usage briefly fell from ~92M to 86–88M but recovered above 90M soon after.
- Users returned once privacy fears eased and a winter-storm data-center outage was resolved.
Rivals Spiked Briefly But Remained Small
- Alternative apps like Upscroll and Skylight Social spiked but remain tiny compared with TikTok.
- Upscroll hit ~138.5K and Skylight ~81.2K at peak, then fell back significantly.