TikTok Reaches Agreement with US for 'American' Algorithm

TikTok has reached a definitive agreement with the US, ensuring its continued operation through a new, independent American entity. The agreement stipulates that the platform's algorithm will be trained exclusively with data from American users, which will be stored and protected in accordance with US law.

This means that the TikTok user experience in the US may differ from the rest of the world. The agreement prevents the app from being banned, which had been scheduled for January 2025.

Although ByteDance retains control of the algorithm through licensing and the trademark, the agreement creates a template for other Chinese companies wishing to enter the American market.

The agreement takes on geopolitical significance, fitting into the framework of the fragile Washington-Beijing balance, representing an indication of 'controlled cooperation'.