ByteDance: TikTok is not sold, even without an algorithm

ByteDance has no plans to sell TikTok. This is evident from a post on its own social media platform Toutiao. The Chinese company claims that previous rumors about a possible sale of TikTok without an algorithm are incorrect.

ByteDance writes on Toutiao that it has no plans to sell TikTok. According to the BBC, the Chinese company also shared a screenshot of a recent article by The Information stating that ByteDance had plans to sell TikTok, but without an algorithm. This image allegedly contains a digital stamp containing a Chinese message that translates as “false rumor”.

The Chinese parent company is responding to a bill approved by the US House of Representatives and the US Senate at the end of April. The bill would prohibit the US from distributing, maintaining or updating an app if it is controlled by a “foreign adversary” and exceeds a certain number of monthly users. TikTok is explicitly mentioned, but other apps that US politicians say are controlled by 'foreign adversaries' will also be included. If the apps meet the established criteria, they must be divested from the parent company within 360 days. If this does not happen, the app will be banned in the United States.

ByteDance said in a statement to Tweakers this week that the company does not agree with the American government's reasoning. The company claims it has no ties to the Chinese government and says a large part of the company is already owned by American investors. The Chinese company would like to challenge the new law in a US court.

Image ByteDance on Toutiao – Source: BBC