The Chinese tech giant ByteDance has sold its US-based social media app TikTok to an American-led consortium of investors in a deal reportedly worth over $500 million, sparking concerns about the app's future direction and potential loss of autonomy.
As it turns out, just one week after the new owners took control, users have been reporting various issues with the app, including major outages and malfunctions. While some claim to have experienced censorship, experts argue that these problems are more likely due to technical glitches rather than a deliberate attempt to suppress content.
The US Federal Trade Commission had pressured ByteDance to sell TikTok in 2020 amid concerns about data security and potential ties to the Chinese government. Oracle, co-founded by Trump ally Larry Ellison, is now one of the major shareholders in the app, further fueling worries about censorship and data misuse.
While some have expressed alarm over these developments, many experts see them as more symptoms of normal corporate inefficiency than a deliberate effort to censor content or compromise user experience. It's also worth noting that Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter did not involve significant changes to the platform's algorithm, which is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated and effective on social media.
However, TikTok's new terms of service do contain some changes that have raised eyebrows among users. The app now plans to collect more precise location data and gain permission for a range of AI-related activities, although these provisions have been in place for some time.
Ultimately, the question remains whether users can trust the new owners of TikTok with their personal data and online experiences. While it's too early to say for certain, one thing is clear: the app's algorithm will undergo significant changes as part of this deal, but the exact nature and timing of these changes are shrouded in uncertainty.
For now, users are left to wonder whether they're seeing a repeat of history or a genuine attempt to improve the platform. As the dust settles on this high-profile sale, one thing is clear: the future of TikTok will be shaped by its new owners' priorities and motivations – and for many, that's a prospect to be watched with growing trepidation.
As it turns out, just one week after the new owners took control, users have been reporting various issues with the app, including major outages and malfunctions. While some claim to have experienced censorship, experts argue that these problems are more likely due to technical glitches rather than a deliberate attempt to suppress content.
The US Federal Trade Commission had pressured ByteDance to sell TikTok in 2020 amid concerns about data security and potential ties to the Chinese government. Oracle, co-founded by Trump ally Larry Ellison, is now one of the major shareholders in the app, further fueling worries about censorship and data misuse.
While some have expressed alarm over these developments, many experts see them as more symptoms of normal corporate inefficiency than a deliberate effort to censor content or compromise user experience. It's also worth noting that Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter did not involve significant changes to the platform's algorithm, which is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated and effective on social media.
However, TikTok's new terms of service do contain some changes that have raised eyebrows among users. The app now plans to collect more precise location data and gain permission for a range of AI-related activities, although these provisions have been in place for some time.
Ultimately, the question remains whether users can trust the new owners of TikTok with their personal data and online experiences. While it's too early to say for certain, one thing is clear: the app's algorithm will undergo significant changes as part of this deal, but the exact nature and timing of these changes are shrouded in uncertainty.
For now, users are left to wonder whether they're seeing a repeat of history or a genuine attempt to improve the platform. As the dust settles on this high-profile sale, one thing is clear: the future of TikTok will be shaped by its new owners' priorities and motivations – and for many, that's a prospect to be watched with growing trepidation.
i don't know if it's just me but the app feels so different now...like what happened to my fave features lol? 
anyway i heard oracle is part of the new ownership team which is kinda concerning for me cuz larry ellison is like super Trump buddies & i'm all about keeping my data safe not sure if they'll be able to make changes without, like, totally ruining the app tho 
like what's going on? i know some people are saying its because of the new owners but idk man... seems like just a normal tech glitch to me 
anyway, i do think its weird that oracle is involved cuz they're not exactly known for being super chill about user data 
but maybe thats just me worrying too much 
one thing for sure tho - can't wait to see how the new owners change the algorithm 
and now we're stuck w/ more location data being collected & AI shenanigans 
like what's next? 
my favorite thing about tiktok was the raw energy of it all, but now it feels like a corporate clone 
can we pls just get some clear answers on what's gonna change and when?! 
That just raises more questions in my head. Will they really be able to keep the app safe and secure for its users or will it become some kind of tool for corporate espionage? 
I'm not saying that's definitely gonna happen, but you never know, right? 
. The US government's concerns about data security and censorship are valid, and now that Oracle is involved, it's like they're playing with fire 
. I mean, who wants their location data being used for AI stuff? It's all a bit unsettling 
. If you're a TikTok user, I'd say keep an eye on what's going on and don't be afraid to speak up if you see anything sketchy 
the fact that theyre collecting more precise location data & plan to use it 4 ai stuff makes me a lil nervous tbh its like they're trying 2 sell us out 
And don't even get me started on that Oracle thing - it's like, what exactly does that have to do with censorship or data security? 
. We're in America now, let's chill out about the whole "US-led consortium" thing 
. Elon Musk's Twitter experience didn't exactly set the world ablaze with algorithm changes either... so what's the big deal? 
. What if the new owners really do start censoring content or selling our data to who knows where? 
It's already bad enough with Facebook and Google collecting all our info... I just want my TikTok app to work smoothly without me having to worry about my personal life 
. I don't think we should just assume everything will be okay because Elon Musk didn't change Twitter's algorithm (that was a weird exception, tbh). What if these new owners have some other agenda? Like, what's in it for them to collect all that location data and AI info 
. I guess the real lesson here is that just because something seems normal or necessary at first doesn't mean it won't have unintended consequences down the line... 
. I mean, what's next? Will our new overlords at TikTok start censoring memes again? 
Just thinking about it is giving me the Heisenberg shuffle vibes from back in the day 
. Anyway, I'm just waiting for the algorithm changes to roll out – hope they don't mess up the app too much 
.
and what's up with oracle being in charge? didn't they used to be like, trump buddies or something? 
! One week in and already users are reporting major issues 
... I'm not convinced 
, but now I'm worried about all the behind-the-scenes stuff 
. Can we trust these new owners with our data and online experiences