TikTok is splitting its source code to create an algorithm specifically for the United States, according to information gathered by Reuters. The application would then operate independently of its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
At the end of April, the US Congress passed a bill aimed at banning TikTok. ByteDance now has nine months to resell the social network to an American entity, under penalty of ban in the country. The Chinese giant, for its part, has always said it is against a possible sale. There is no question of selling its precious recommendation algorithm, partly responsible for the immense success of the platform and, for the moment, unmatched by its American rivals.
A possibly poorer user experience
Hundreds of engineers from ByteDance and TikTok, in the United States and China, are sifting through the application’s millions of lines of code to create a second base, independent of the systems used by the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin. They must also eliminate all information linked to Chinese users, reports Reuters.
The task is particularly arduous and could extend over an entire year. Workers must analyze each line of code to determine whether it can be transferred to the United States. Still according to the press agency, company executives frequently discuss this project, called Lark, during general meetings as well as on their internal company messaging system. Once the code is split, ByteDance could consider divesting its US assets.
TikTok management knows this. This separation risks affecting the experience of American users, because the entity would be cut off from “ the enormous power of technical development » from its parent company. A risk which demonstrates how far the application is prepared to go and stay in the United States, its most important international market with 170 million users.
TikTok denies, Reuters confirmed
In a post on X.com, the application denies the Reuters information, calling it ” factually misleading and inaccurate “. “ The “qualified transfer” required by law to allow TikTok to continue its activities in the United States is simply not possible: neither on a commercial level, nor on a technological level, nor on a legal level. And certainly not within the 270 day period required by law “, she continues, without specifying which elements of the investigation Reuters are false. The media ” maintains your information », Said one of its spokespersons.
TikTok has challenged the bill in court, and is determined to prevail. If the information of Reuters are confirmed, this displayed confidence risks being shaken.
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TikTok is a social media app primarily focused on creating and sharing short videos. TikTok has quickly become popular with a wide audience, especially among young people. The application allows users to create videos of up to 3 minutes, often characterized by music, lip-syncing, dancing, comedy skits, and other forms of expressive performances.
TikTok is a social media app primarily focused on creating and sharing short videos. TikTok has quickly become popular with a wide audience, especially among young people. The application allows users to create videos of up to 3 minutes, often characterized by music, lip-syncing, dancing, comedy skits, and other forms of expressive performances.
Sources: Reuters, The Verge
After my journalism studies, I decided to focus on areas that fascinate me: new technologies, video games, or even astronomy. I love sharing around these subjects but my curiosity leads me to discuss many other subjects through my articles.
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