TikTok Algorithm to Be Retrained Using US Data Under Trump Deal

TikTok, the popular social media app, will make big changes to how it works for users in the United States. Its algorithm – the system that decides what videos people see in their feed – will be copied and rebuilt using data from US users only. This is part of a deal announced to secure the app’s future in the country.

A White House official said Oracle, a major American tech company, will audit TikTok’s recommendation system. The app will be run by a new joint venture that includes US investors. These steps are meant to meet national security rules for the app’s operation and sale.

The move comes after former President Donald Trump announced that a deal had been reached with China. This deal prevents TikTok from being banned in the US as long as it meets certain conditions. Trump is expected to sign an executive order soon to make the agreement official. The order will also give a 120-day pause to allow the deal to be completed.

Currently, data from the 170 million TikTok users in the US is already stored on Oracle servers under an arrangement called Project Texas. This was created because of worries that user information could be accessed by the Chinese government.

Under the new deal, TikTok will have to secure the app entirely for American users. This will include inspecting the source code and the recommendation system, and rebuilding the algorithm to use only US data. The goal is to ensure US users’ information is safe and not influenced by outside parties.

Oracle, known for providing cloud services to companies like OpenAI, is a key part of the deal. Private equity firm Silver Lake is also involved. The White House said the joint venture will look for patriotic investors and board members who understand cybersecurity to oversee TikTok’s operations. The total value of the deal could be in the billions of dollars.

However, some experts warn that these changes could affect TikTok’s popularity. Jasmine Enberg, a social media analyst, said that changing the algorithm or limiting content to US users could make people stop using the app. It could also reduce the value of TikTok for creators, brands, and investors.

While the details of the deal are still unclear, the US-only algorithm could separate American users from content around the world. This may affect the user experience, as TikTok has grown popular for showing content from many countries.

In simple words, TikTok is making big changes to protect US user data. The algorithm will be rebuilt using only information from the United States. Experts say this could be good for security, but it might also change how people enjoy the app. The coming months will show whether these changes keep TikTok safe and popular for American users.