Aiming to illustrate autonomy from its Chinese parent company amid legislative scrutiny in the US, TikTok is reportedly separating its source code to create a distinct algorithm for its US platform.
These discussions hint at separating TikTok from ByteDance's engineering resources.
Alleged Code Division of TikTok
TikTok is reportedly in the process of dividing its source code to establish a distinct algorithm exclusively for its US platform. Despite TikTok's denial of a report suggesting the replication of its recommendation algorithm for its 170 million US users for autonomous operation from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, Reuters reported otherwise.
Since last year, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that efforts have been underway to create a standalone version of TikTok's recommendation algorithm, separate from Douyin, ByteDance's Chinese variant.
The sources noted that the completion of this project, anticipated to span over a year, aims to show lawmakers the independence of TikTok's US operations from its Beijing-based parent company.
The insiders noted that discussions about the project have occurred during company-wide meetings and via TikTok's internal messaging platform, Lark. They also said that separating the source code would disconnect TikTok from the significant engineering resources available through its parent company.
The TikTok logo is displayed outside a TikTok office on December 20, 2022 in Culver City, California. (Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Response of TikTok
In response, TikTok tweeted that the Reuters article released today contains misleading and factually incorrect information. TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes addressed concerns surrounding the platform's efforts to safeguard authenticity.
Hughes noted that these initiatives were unrelated to any potential divestment and categorically denied assertions regarding splitting the app's code. He maintained that the claim was completely untrue.
To address concerns about its ties to China, TikTok previously introduced "Project Texas," an initiative aimed at ensuring data security and fostering user confidence in its US operations.
While Project Texas was meant to ensure the separation of TikTok's US operations from ByteDance's Chinese executives, reports suggest that collaborations between the two entities persisted, casting doubt on the initiative's effectiveness.
Despite TikTok's assurances of data isolation and privacy, concerns linger about whether user data remained secure and inaccessible to Chinese counterparts. The disparity between promises and reality regarding data segregation raises questions among users and policymakers alike.
Journalist Alex Heath's exploration of TikTok's Transparency and Accountability Center last year shed light on doubts regarding the project's efficacy. Policymakers also remained skeptical about its ability to avert a potential ban in the US.
TikTok is suing the US government over a law that gives its parent company until January 19, 2025, to hand over control of the app to someone else or face a ban. TikTok maintained that there's no plan to separate the companies yet, but splitting the code could make it easier to sell off the app's US operations in the future.
