TikTok in the United States is undergoing a significant ownership change, but what does this mean for the average user? ByteDance, the Chinese parent company, has agreed to spin off a U.S.-based TikTok entity where American investors will hold an 80% stake, while ByteDance retains just under 20%. This move stems from U.S. federal legislation aimed at addressing security concerns related to the app’s ties to China.
Will the App Change?
For now, the answer is likely no. TikTok users in the U.S. will not need to download a new app version. The existing platform will remain functional as is, at least initially. However, behind the scenes, critical changes are happening. The algorithm that powers TikTok’s endless stream of content will be licensed from ByteDance and adapted using American user data.
While the core functionality won’t immediately change, experts warn that even minor tweaks to the algorithm could alter the user experience. Kelley Cotter, a professor at Penn State, notes that even “small tweaks could at least change the quality of the experience.”
Content Moderation and Future Control
A key shift is in content moderation. The new U.S.-based TikTok entity will have full authority over what videos are allowed. Currently, TikTok prohibits hate speech, harassment, and misinformation. However, this could change.
The example of Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) demonstrates how relaxed content restrictions can dramatically alter a platform’s environment. Some experts, like Anupam Chander from Georgetown University, warn that the new U.S. ownership could also lead to more direct influence over content, potentially including the spread of misinformation.
“By shifting the ownership of this speech platform to American companies who perhaps have a close relationship with the sitting president, it allows more theoretical room, potentially, for misinformation to be disseminated.”
Why This Matters
The underlying concern driving this ownership shift is the fear that Beijing could leverage TikTok to surveil Americans or disseminate propaganda. However, critics argue that changing ownership doesn’t guarantee greater security or transparency; it simply transfers potential influence from one entity to another.
The restructuring of TikTok in the U.S. highlights the growing intersection of social media, national security, and political control. Users should be aware that despite the app remaining the same for now, the dynamics behind the scenes are evolving rapidly.
This situation raises questions about the future of data privacy, content moderation, and the potential for political manipulation on one of the world’s most popular social platforms. The long-term implications remain to be seen.
