Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

TikTok to Shutdown in US as ByteDance Prioritizes Algorithm Over Sale

POSTED ON April 26, 2024 •   Uncategorized      BY Samuel O . Adeniyi
A TikTok office in Culver City, California, on 13 March 2024 | Photo Credit: Mike Blake | Source: Reuters

ByteDance, the Chinese company behind the popular short-form video app TikTok, is prepared to shut down the US version of the platform rather than sell it without its core recommendation algorithm. 

This stance comes amid ongoing legal battles with the US government over national security concerns. 

Four sources familiar with the matter disclosed this to Reuters on Thursday, adding that ByteDance views TikTok's algorithm as essential to its entire business operation. 

Selling TikTok without it would be highly undesirable, even if it meant losing the US market, which represents a relatively small portion of its overall revenue and user base. 

These sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, believe shutting down the app would have minimal impact on ByteDance financially, while also protecting their critical technology. 

ByteDance publicly denied plans to sell TikTok in a statement posted on their platform Toutiao. 

This contradicts a previous report suggesting they were exploring options for offloading the US business without the algorithm. A TikTok spokesperson declined to comment beyond referencing ByteDance's statement. 

Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew remains optimistic about their legal challenge against the recent US legislation that aims to ban the app. 

The bill, signed by President Biden, expresses concerns about potential Chinese government access to user data and potential use for surveillance. 

The legislation sets a deadline for a potential sale by January 19th, 2025, with the possibility of a three-month extension if the Biden administration deems progress is being made towards a satisfactory agreement. 

While financial details remain undisclosed, separate sources indicate that ByteDance's primary revenue stream comes from its Chinese market, with TikTok's US revenue contributing roughly 25% of the total. 

This situation highlights the escalating tensions between the US and China, with TikTok caught in the crossfire. Whether a compromise can be reached or if a US shutdown becomes a reality remains to be seen.

0
READ ALSO
Eno enhances healthcare with N200m contribution to UUTH
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 16, 2025 0

In an effort to enhance healthcare services, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has co...

READ ALSO
Ododo Reorganizes the Tourism Board, Kogi Hotels
BY Ebiakuboere England December 3, 2024 0

KOGI- Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Ododo has appointed former Kogi Hotels and Tourism Board Chai...

READ ALSO
Rivers Varsity Suspends Four Students For Assault
BY Benedicta Bassey June 16, 2024 0

The Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt has suspended four of its students con...

READ ALSO
French Embassy Unveils Waste Management Project Worth €753,000 in Varsities
BY Benedicta Bassey June 14, 2024 0

The French Embassy, via the Cooperation and Cultural Department, has launched a plastic waste manage...

READ ALSO
ATBU Enhances Research Capacity For Lecturers
BY Benedicta Bassey June 14, 2024 0

The management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, has enhanced research capabilities...

READ ALSO
Russia Dismisses Claim of Recruiting Nigerian Students For Ukranian War
BY Benedicta Bassey June 13, 2024 0

The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has debunked the claims of recruiting African students, particularly...

READ ALSO
Soludo Warns Tinubu Against Accepting Unsustainable Minimum Wage
BY Benedicta Bassey June 13, 2024 0

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo on Thursday warned President Bola Tinubu against approving &ld...

READ ALSO
Obi Cubana Lauds Burna Boy For Settling Patients' Hospital Bills
BY Ebiakuboere England June 12, 2024 0

Award-winning Nigerian music star Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy, has been praised by million...

OUR CHANNELS:

Obama’s Debunk Report on Divorce
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have put to rest rumors regarding their m...


Bayelsa Govt. Cautions Principal Officers on Pension Delay
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The Bayelsa State Government has cautioned principal officers of local government councils to avoid...


NLC Decries Nigeria's Poor Labor Rights Record as National Disgrace
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its worries about the nation's inadequate performanc...


Israeli Strike Hits Catholic Church in Gaza, Killing Two Civilians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church resulted in the deaths of two individuals on Thu...


SSC Napoli Completes €25 Million Deal for Noa Lang from PSV
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

Serie A champions Napoli confirmed on Thursday that they have signed Dutch forward Noa Lang from PSV...


Civil Defence Board Temporarily Closes Recruitment Portal for System Enhancements
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has temporarily closed its recr...


Nigeria Should Aim for 60,000 Megawatts of Power Generation- Dangote
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, argues that Nigeria's low electricity generati...


FG Denies Emergence of New Terrorist Groups Amid Turkish Warnings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

The Federal Government On Wednesday, stated that no new terrorist groups have emerged in the country...


151 Senior Police Officers Face Misconduct Hearings- NPF
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that 151 senior officers are currently undergoing proceedings...


CPC Loyalists Face Uncertain Future Amid Buhari's Death, Tinubu's Leadership
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 18, 2025 0

The passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari has sparked renewed speculation regarding the polit...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu