Fri, 19 Dec 2025

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 Will the US TikTok deal make it safer but less relevant?

The key to the app's success - its algorithm - is to be retrained on US data. Will that make US TikTok blander?

* TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance has agreed to partner with investors, including Oracle and a government investment fund from Abu Dhabi.
* This deal may alter how TikTok operates in the US, particularly its recommendation algorithm that curates content on users' For You Page.
* The algorithm will be retrained using American user data, which could make the app feel "safer" but potentially less "culturally essential".
* Changes to moderation and platform features are possible, which could impact the app's popularity and relevance.
* Some experts believe that TikTok's unique edge and ability to showcase unusual content may be lost in a US version.
* The app's users may experience delays in personalization and adapting to viral content due to narrower data inputs.
* Pressure from investors, including Oracle's chairman Larry Ellison (an ally of President Trump), could lead to the US app becoming "blander".
* Experts warn that TikTok's survival is not guaranteed, but rather which version of the app survives.
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