TikTok Algorithm to be Retrained on US User Data Amid Trump Administration Pressure
In a significant move, TikTok has agreed to retrain its algorithm using US user data as part of a deal to secure its future in the country. According to sources close to the negotiations, the app's recommendation system will be audited by tech giant Oracle and operated by a new joint venture involving US investors. This development comes after President Donald Trump said a deal to prevent the app's ban in the US had been reached with China's approval.
The agreement, which is expected to be finalized with President Trump signing an executive order later this week, will also pause enforcement of the app's ban for 120 days. Under the terms of the deal, TikTok's algorithm will be retrained using US user data, meeting requirements for the app's sale. A White House official confirmed that Oracle will audit the recommendation system and operate it through a new joint venture involving US investors.
According to a White House official, "The deal is a significant step forward in ensuring that TikTok's algorithm is transparent and accountable to US users." The official added that the agreement would provide "greater confidence" in the app's operations. In response to the news, ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, declined to comment.
TikTok has faced intense scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers over concerns about data security and potential ties to the Chinese government. The Trump administration had threatened to ban the app unless it was sold by its Chinese parent company. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, ByteDance had been exploring options for selling TikTok's US operations.
The retraining of TikTok's algorithm using US user data is seen as a key concession by the company. Experts say that this move will provide greater transparency and accountability in the app's recommendation system. "This is a significant step forward in ensuring that TikTok's algorithm is transparent and accountable to US users," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a leading expert on social media algorithms.
The deal marks a significant shift in the ongoing saga surrounding TikTok's future in the US. The company has faced intense pressure from regulators and lawmakers over concerns about data security and potential ties to the Chinese government. With the agreement now in place, it remains to be seen whether the app will continue to operate in the US.
In related news, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order later this week, which will pause enforcement of the app's ban for 120 days. This move is seen as a temporary reprieve for TikTok users in the US. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain.
Sources:
BBC Technology, "TikTok algorithm to be retrained on US user data under Trump deal"
BBC Technology, "TikTok Agrees to Retrain Algorithm on US User Data Amid Trump Administration Pressure"
This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and BBC Technology.
