TikTok is a short-form video app that allows users to create and share 15 to 60 second videos. It was launched internationally in 2018 by the Chinese tech company ByteDance. TikTok quickly became one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2022.
While TikTok operates globally, its parent company ByteDance was founded in China in 2012. ByteDance is a privately held company, though partial ownership stakes are held by U.S. investors. Despite its Chinese origins, TikTok maintains that it does not operate in China nor is it influenced by the Chinese government.
TikTok’s Algorithm
TikTok’s algorithm is the driving force behind its ‘For You’ page, which recommends videos for users based on their interests. The main goal of TikTok’s algorithm is to keep users engaged on the platform for as long as possible by showing them content they are likely to enjoy and interact with (1).
The algorithm works by analyzing a wide range of signals about each user, including their location, device, activity on the app, interests, and more. It tracks every video a user watches, likes, comments on, shares, or otherwise interacts with. All of this data is used to build a unique profile of a user’s preferences (2).
Some key factors the algorithm considers are:
– Video completion rate – how much of a video a user watches. More completed views signals higher interest.
– Likes and comments – more likes and comments indicate a video resonates with users.
– Shares – frequently shared videos are more likely to go viral.
– Searches – videos related to topics a user searches for are recommended.
– Captions and hashtags – help categorize videos into topics.
– Device and account settings – will influence language, region, and age-appropriate content.
By combining these signals, the TikTok algorithm can quickly learn about new users and refine its recommendations over time. This personalized curation based on user behavior and interests is a major factor behind the app’s popularity and addictiveness (1,2).
Sources:
(1) https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-algorithm/
(2) https://buffer.com/resources/tiktok-algorithm/
Data Storage
TikTok has made significant changes to where it stores user data in recent years. As of June 2022, TikTok states that 100% of US user traffic is routed to Oracle Cloud servers located in the United States. User data for European TikTok users was previously stored in the US, Malaysia, and Singapore, but TikTok has begun migrating European user data to servers located in Ireland with backups in Singapore and the US.
TikTok’s primary data centers in the US are located in Northern Virginia and Hillsboro, Oregon. TikTok uses Oracle’s cloud infrastructure to store and process US user data within the United States. Previously, TikTok user data was stored in China while the app was owned by ByteDance. However, TikTok has emphasized that Chinese government officials have never requested access to US user data.
Content Moderation
TikTok uses a combination of automated tools and human moderators to review content uploaded to its platform. According to TikTok’s transparency report, videos uploaded to TikTok are first scanned by automated moderation technology to identify potential policy violations.
TikTok employs thousands of content moderators globally who manually review flagged content and make decisions based on TikTok’s community guidelines. Moderators are expected to review large volumes of videos and make quick judgments on whether to remove or restrict videos.
According to TikTok job listings, moderators are expected to be fluent in the languages they are reviewing and have a good understanding of internet slang and cultural context. Moderators analyze videos frame-by-frame looking for potential violations.
TikTok states that its content policies aim to prevent harm, protect privacy, and promote authenticity on the platform. Moderators look for content containing nudity, illegal activities, hate speech, harassment, misinformation, dangerous acts, and other violations.
Chinese Influence Claims
Critics, including some U.S. lawmakers, have expressed fears that TikTok’s parent company ByteDance could be pressured by the Chinese government to censor content or share user data (AP News). TikTok operates outside of China and stores data from most users outside of China as well. However, ByteDance is a Chinese company that must abide by the country’s laws. Concerns have emerged that China could potentially access TikTok user data or influence the content shown.
TikTok’s Denials
TikTok has repeatedly denied that it is controlled by or shares data with the Chinese government. In October 2022, TikTok executives testified before the Canadian government that “TikTok is not controlled by China” [1]. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew stated in March 2023 that “ByteDance is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government. It is a private company” [2]. The company maintains that user data is stored in Singapore and the United States, not China.
Security Reviews
TikTok has faced scrutiny over the security of user data and whether China can access it. In 2020, the company hired a U.S.-based cybersecurity firm to review its source code and practices. The review found no evidence of backdoors and asserted TikTok was not sending U.S. user data to China. However, experts noted the limited scope and called for ongoing auditing.
In 2021, TikTok commissioned another U.S. cybersecurity firm to conduct an audit of its algorithmic recommendation systems. While no security flaws were found, the auditors had limited access and could not fully determine if ByteDance employees in China can access U.S. data. Critics argued more transparency and independent oversight is needed given the app’s popularity.
US Government Actions
The US government has raised several concerns about TikTok posing potential national security risks.
In 2020, then-President Trump signed an executive order to ban TikTok unless it severed ties with its Chinese parent company ByteDance. The Biden administration has since revoked this order but continues to share security concerns about the platform (AP News).
In 2022, Congress banned TikTok from government devices. Lawmakers cited fears that China could pressure ByteDance into sharing US user data or manipulating content. There are also concerns about TikTok’s algorithm promoting addictive and harmful content to young users (Dept. of Defense).
Several states have also banned TikTok on government devices, with some governors calling it “digital fentanyl” and expressing worries it could be used to influence elections. The FBI recently warned that TikTok poses national security risks, including potential influence operations, cyber espionage, and data collection by China (Dept. of Defense).
TikTok’s Responses
TikTok has maintained that it protects the privacy of its US users and does not share data with the Chinese government. In response to the US government’s actions, TikTok has made efforts to address security concerns and avoid a ban.
After President Trump issued executive orders against TikTok in 2020, the company stated it was “shocked” and claimed the administration “paid no attention to facts”. TikTok pledged to “pursue all remedies available” to “ensure that the rule of law is upheld”.
More recently, TikTok submitted a preliminary agreement to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) that would allow it to avoid being banned in the US. As reported by Forbes, the agreement proposes measures like storing US user data in Oracle cloud servers on US soil, restricting employee access to data, and auditing TikTok’s algorithms to ensure no foreign interference.
While negotiations continue, TikTok maintains its platform has never censored content in the US at the request of the Chinese government. TikTok is determined to reach a resolution that allows continued operations in the US without fully divesting from its parent company ByteDance.
Conclusion
There has been much debate about whether China controls the algorithm and content moderation on TikTok. On one side, critics argue that because TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, the app’s recommendations and content rules may be influenced by the Chinese government. They point to China’s strict internet censorship regime and the legal requirements for Chinese companies to cooperate with state intelligence agencies. There are concerns that TikTok may censor or downrank content critical of China, or surveil American users. TikTok is currently unable to operate in China.
On the other side, TikTok insists it operates independently of China with protections in place to avoid government interference. TikTok states its recommendation algorithm is driven by user interests and engagement, not geography or politics. The company claims Chinese employees cannot access TikTok user data, which is stored on servers in the US and Singapore, and governed by US privacy laws. TikTok also notes its content moderation policies are led by US-based teams and aim to provide an inclusive platform. While TikTok was fined by US regulators in 2019 for mishandling children’s data, the app has since revamped its approach.
Overall, evidence of actual Chinese government influence on TikTok is lacking. However, concerns persist over the theoretical possibility due to ByteDance’s origins and China’s track record. TikTok is taking steps to assure Western users and regulators, including minimizing China-based staff access. But calls remain for further transparency and assurances around data security. With bipartisan US mistrust of Chinese tech companies, TikTok likely faces ongoing pressure to avoid even the perception of Beijing’s control.
