Trump Approves TikTok Deal, Sparking Debate Over US Ownership and Algorithm Control

Executive Order on TikTok Deal

• ⚡ President Trump signed an executive order pre-approving a proposed deal for TikTok to come under US ownership.
• 🤝 The order indicates TikTok can continue operating in the US, allowing a group of American investors, reportedly led by Trump ally Larry Ellison, to buy the app from ByteDance.
• 🇨🇳 While the deal requires Chinese approval, Trump stated he spoke with President Xi, who he claims approved the deal, emphasizing the need for China's support.

Concerns Over Deal Structure

• ⚠️ Critics argue the deal, which reportedly keeps a minority stake and the algorithm under Chinese control, contradicts previous legislation requiring full US ownership.
• 📉 A US adviser close to the deal called it the "ultimate TACO trade," lamenting that China retains the algorithm.
• 📝 Mark Short, former director of legislative affairs, wrote that licensing the algorithm is not ownership and monitoring is not control, allowing the CCP to retain influence.

Algorithm Control and Ownership Debate

• 🧠 Some reports suggest the American companies could wipe and retrain the algorithm, removing CCP influence, with moderation decisions made by the board, including a ByteDance seat.
• 🇺🇸 However, the preference remains for 100% American ownership and moderation, with concerns raised about Trump's allies, such as Oracle owner Larry Ellison and Mike Dell, potentially owning or partially owning the app.
• 🗣️ There's a fear that the app could become propaganda for President Trump and his friends, impacting freedom of the press and expression, especially given past actions and perceived influence over media outlets.

Tech Companies, Politics, and Money

• 💰 The primary motivation for big tech companies is money, not politics; an algorithm solely promoting a specific agenda might not be successful.
• 📊 Comparisons are made to X (formerly Twitter) and Truth Social, with discussions on whether conservative content is more prolific on X due to liberals leaving for other platforms.
• 🌐 Concerns exist about moving towards a state-run media America, with leaders right-leaning running apps and the potential for biased information dissemination.

Free Speech and Regulation

• 🚫 Some argue that the Biden administration's actions, like DHS emailing tech companies to remove content, pose a threat to free speech.
• 📈 The argument is made that TikTok would not be successful as a purely political propaganda tool, citing Truth Social's reliance on a specific figure for its success.
• 🔒 The CCP's desire for algorithm control is seen as a way to stoke social division, and the deal's potential to lessen this control is a positive aspect.