TikTok’s algorithm set to move from Chinese control to Big Tech under Trump’s deal to save app
Trump to sign off huge new TikTok deal – these are the changes users should expect
- An agreement has reportedly been reached between the U.S. and China regarding the future of TikTok in the U.S., with President Trump expected to approve it.
- The deal involves software giant Oracle taking responsibility for safeguarding U.S. users' data and 'retraining' TikTok's existing algorithm, which will be leased from ByteDance.
- TikTok U.S. will be controlled by an American-majority investor group, including Andreessen Horowitz, Silver Lake, and Oracle, with Michael Dell, Lachlan Murdoch, and Rupert Murdoch also expected to be involved.
- The compromise aims to meet both U.S. legal requirements and Chinese domestic law, with a 120-day extension anticipated for the deal's completion.
- Despite assurances of security, some tech commentators have expressed concerns about China's continued involvement through the algorithm, branding it 'digital fentanyl'.