The TikTok recommendation algorithm has returned to attention after ByteDance signed agreements to create a joint venture that will control operations in the US, in order to avoid the app's ban.

The TikTok recommendation algorithm has returned to attention after ByteDance signed agreements to form a joint venture that will manage the app's operations in the United States, in an attempt to avoid its ban. The new structure involves American investors, including Oracle, but there are questions about who will actually control the algorithm. Former U.S. officials emphasize that it is unclear whether the algorithm has been transferred or remains under Beijing's control, and Oracle may have a limited role. ByteDance will retain commercial operations, while the joint venture will manage the data of American users. The TikTok algorithm, which analyzes viewing behavior to make recommendations, is considered a strategic asset, having a significant impact on the platform's global success, in the context of geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China.