ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of video sharing app TikTok, has reportedly begun selling the app’s AI algorithm to other companies through a new division called BytePlus. According to the company’s website, BytePlus’ client list already includes companies from the US (Goat), Singapore (WeGo), Indonesia (Chilibeli), and India (GamesApp).
The recommendation algorithm that drives TikTok’s popularity is a big part of it; your use of the app directly affects the videos that are recommended to you. In a recent blog post, the company outlined how the ForYou feed chooses which videos to serve each individual user. The app’s recommendations are based on your interactions with videos, such as clicking the like button, sharing, or creating videos.
Video data, such as the caption and hashtags, is also taken into consideration. Additionally, your device and account settings, such as what device you’re using, language preferences, and your location, are further incorporated.
This report claims that customers have the opportunity to utilise the recommendation algorithm, as well as personalise it for their applications and customers. Among other things, BytePlus’s website claims that the company offers automatic speech and text translation, real-time video effects, and data analysis tools.
A number of executive orders passed by former US President Donald Trump had attempted to prevent China-based apps from using American app stores, with TikTok among them. The ban almost led to Microsoft buying TikTok from ByteDance but the deal never went through and the Biden administration revoked the bans in June. Despite the pressure from Trump, though, TikTok reached more than 100 million monthly US users last year.
(Source: FT via The Verge)
