TikTok caught in US-China battle over its powerful algorithm – FT

TikTok’s chief executive Shou Zi Chew will insist to Congress this week that the Chinese-owned social media app has “never shared, or received a request to share” data on its 150mn US users with Beijing.

His defence of TikTok on Capitol Hill comes as the US and Chinese governments are battling for control over the algorithm that powers it, in a geopolitical tug of war over the app’s future.

Chew – “TikTok has never shared, or received a request to share, US user data with the Chinese government. Nor would TikTok honour such a request if one were ever made.”

My take

The underlying concerns centre on China obtaining information on Tik Tok users and such information could be used maliciously to perform activities such as:

• derive data that could imply username and password
• enhance China ability to interfere with elections through disinformation
• inadvertently permit Organised Crime groups to obtain and misuse information for account takeover, spam, ransomeware and the likes

These are probably legitimate concerns however in the broader scheme of things it is unclear that attempts to create a moat around America by banning Huwei, Tik Tok, Silicon Chip manufacturing and other sanction activity will improve security.

At best the US approach will result in bad actors seeking alternatives. There are just not enough fingers available to cover the holes in the dyke. Such protectionist approaches are never successful and America knows this. It was an original proponent of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for that very reason.

The West needs to do a better job at understanding China actions and how their vital interests are not shared by the West nor are they necessarily against the west. China has a vital interest in securing Energy security for example. Tim Tok does not help China secure long term energy independence.

PS

Editorial The West must understand everyone has strategic interests and needs. I read lots but over last year became hooked on Podcasts.

Those I follow include:

• my goto British Think Tank RUSI “Global Security Briefing” and “Talking Strategy” and
• War on the Rocks. (Ryan Evans and team – Private)