TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, which curates content for users, is set to be duplicated and retrained using data from U.S. users as part of an agreement that aims to secure the app’s continued operation in the United States. A White House official indicated that Oracle, a major technology company, will audit the recommendation system, and a new joint venture involving U.S. investors will manage it to fulfill the requirements for the app’s sale.
This announcement follows claims made by former President Donald Trump about a deal to avert a ban on TikTok, contingent on the app being sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and reportedly having received the approval of the Chinese government. The BBC has reached out to ByteDance and TikTok for comments regarding this agreement.
White House officials suggest that the arrangement will be beneficial for TikTok’s U.S. user base. President Trump is expected to sign an executive order later this week detailing the proposed deal, which aims to address U.S. national security concerns. The order will also include a 120-day suspension of enforcement deadlines to facilitate the deal’s completion.
Data for TikTok’s claimed 170 million U.S. users is currently stored on Oracle servers as part of an arrangement known as Project Texas, established over concerns about potential loss of data to the Chinese government. A senior official noted that under the deal, the company will be responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of the app for American users, which includes auditing its source code and recommendation system to create a version specifically for the U.S.
Oracle has been anticipated to play a significant role in this arrangement, gaining traction in the cloud computing sector. Private equity firm Silver Lake is also reported to be involved in the deal, which may be valued at billions of dollars. The new joint venture is expected to recruit patriotic investors and board members with cybersecurity expertise. There are concerns that changes to TikTok’s functionality for U.S. users could affect user engagement or disrupt the platform’s ecosystem for creators and brands.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gj7mlg9vdo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss