The future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance as the app faces pressure to be sold into US ownership or risk a national ban due to national security concerns. A crucial aspect of TikTok’s success lies in its all-knowing algorithm that feeds users more and more of the content they want to watch. Chinese officials have already vetoed any potential sale of the algorithmic code, making it unlikely that TikTok will be sold as we currently know it. Instead, TikTok’s owner ByteDance is reportedly working on creating a clone of its recommendation algorithm for its 170 million US users to operate independently of its Chinese parent. While this alternative feed algorithm may be a way for TikTok to remain in operation in America, the challenge lies in replicating TikTok’s algorithms in any lesser form.
In the past, TikTok has faced criticism for its content moderation practices, particularly regarding the suppression of uploads from users with physical “flaws” such as “abnormal body shapes” and “ugly facial looks.” While TikTok management has stated that these qualifiers were only implemented in the Chinese version of the app called Douyin, the implications of TikTok’s advanced visual identification process raise concerns. The ability of TikTok’s moderation team to reject clips based on specific physical traits highlights the addictive nature of TikTok’s algorithm, which is designed to show users more content based on their interests and preferences.
TikTok’s content matching algorithm is driven by a wide range of visual traits, text cues, and topic preferences chosen by users. This algorithmic matching is what makes TikTok so compelling and addictive to users, as it is able to provide content tailored to individual preferences. However, the specificity of TikTok’s content matching may not align with the preferences of U.S. authorities, raising concerns about privacy and data collection. Despite efforts to water down the algorithm over time, TikTok’s unique approach to content recommendation sets it apart from other social media platforms.
As tensions between the US and China escalate over the future of TikTok, the app has become a focal point of geopolitical tensions. The possibility of TikTok being switched off for US users looms large as negotiations continue between the two countries. The forced sale of TikTok has become a point of national pride for China, with the Chinese government opposing what it sees as overreach by US authorities. This standoff between global superpowers underscores the challenges that TikTok faces in navigating international diplomacy and regulatory scrutiny.
TikTok’s algorithmic design and content moderation practices are at the center of the app’s current challenges. The intricacies of replicating TikTok’s algorithm, concerns about content moderation, and the implications for international diplomacy all contribute to the uncertain future of the app. As TikTok navigates these challenges, it will be important for the company to address these issues transparently while balancing the interests of its users, regulators, and the global community.
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