ByteDance has always in troubles regarding it’s app TikTok. There are days until the deadline that the US government gave a, TikTok’s parent company, to sell Western TikTok to a US company. On September 15, either TikTok is in the hands of a US company or TikTok closes in the American country, according to the US president. However, the agreement seems more and more complicated , from ByteDance they warn that the recommendation algorithm ( and main attraction of TikTok ) will not be sold to anyone.
The sale of TikTok to an American company has a history. It all started with accusations by the United States that it was a spy tool due to the influence of the Chinese government on companies in the country. Consequently, they decreed that for the social network to continue operating in the United States, it should be purchased by an American company and that it host the data of its users in the territory of the American country. And potential buyers emerged: Microsoft (already retired), Oracle, Walmart and even Twitter was rumored.
However, from China they also responded to this movement. In recent weeks a change in the laws of Asian country prevented companies from exporting certain goods, including intellectual property in the form of artificial intelligence. This is where the Tiktok algorithm, algorithm that Bytedance in principle can not sell without the permission of the Chinese government. Joining pieces, it takes sense that Byteday says that they will not sell their algorithm to anyone, according to SOUNDS A SOUTH China Morning Post. According to explain, Bytedance has notified both the United States authorities and potential buyers of Western Tiktok. If this condition is decisive in the sale of Tiktok, there may be no agreement for next Tuesday, September 15 and Tiktok should turn off their operations in the United States. This, of course, if there is no last-minute surprise with agreement in extremis or a United States postponement to your veto.
Byteday However, does not seem to put tags that the Tiktok buyer creates his own recommendation algorithm. This would not breach the new export rules imposed by China to Chinese companies, as they would simply be selling the service with their US users and not the algorithm developed behind the content recommendations.
Before closed than a forced sale by the United States
The controversial Sale of Tiktok could be even more complex. Reuters reported last Saturday that China’s government could oppose the transaction. It is not a normal and current sale, there is a symbolism behind it in which the United States is imposing its strength involving directly on sale. And China seems to want to impose yours as well, forcing Bytedance to close Tiktok in the United States before yielding to the pressures of the United States. The schedule with the deadline does nothing more than add pressure to all the parties involved in this matter. Bytedance aims to be the worst stop of all parties, seeing in the midst of a commercial and political war between China and the United States. In spite of everything that is known about the matter, if the agreement is finally carried out, it will be a surprise.