TikTok Denies Reports of Algorithm Independence from Chinese Parent

TikTok has strongly refuted a report suggesting that it is developing a version of its recommendation algorithm independent from Douyin, the Chinese version of the app operated by its parent company, ByteDance.

The report claimed that the project, which has been in progress since last year, could take more than a year to complete and is intended to show lawmakers that the U.S. operations are separate from its Beijing-based owner.

According to Reuters, unnamed sources mentioned that executives discussed the project in all-hands meetings and on the internal messaging system, Lark.

The report also suggested that splitting the source code would sever TikTok from ByteDance’s “massive engineering development power.”

However, TikTok swiftly responded to the Reuters report, debunking it in a tweet saying, “The Reuters story published today is misleading and factually inaccurate.”

Also in emails to The Verge, TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes further discredited the Reuters claims. Hughes stated, “While we have continued work in good faith to further safeguard the authenticity of the TikTok experience, it is simply false to suggest that this work would facilitate divestiture or that divestiture is even a possibility.” When questioned about the potential splitting of the code, Hughes asserted that it is “100 percent false.”

This clarification from TikTok follows its ongoing efforts to convince lawmakers of its U.S. independence, such as through the “Project Texas” data silo initiative.

Project Texas was described as “an unprecedented initiative dedicated to making every American on TikTok feel safe, with confidence that their data is secure and the platform is free from outside influence.”

Despite these efforts, Alex Heath's visit to a Transparency and Accountability Center last year highlighted doubts about the project's ability to prevent a potential U.S. ban based solely on technical merits.

Currently, TikTok is engaged in a legal battle with the U.S. government over a law that mandates its parent company to transfer control of the app by January 19th, 2025, or face a ban.

While Reuters' sources suggested that splitting the code could eventually lead to a divestiture of the U.S. assets, TikTok has firmly denied any such plans.