Oracle will digitally sign changes to the code of the US version of social media app TikTok. This should give the US government certainty that parent company ByteDance will not build any loopholes into the code.
In addition to Oracle, a third party appointed by a US government organization will also inspect the code before it goes live, lawfareblog reports. The site was at a presentation of Project Texas, the plan with which TikTok wants to avoid a ban on its app in the US. Earlier various details of TikTok’s plans have already emerged.
Lawfareblog also reports that TikTok will apply for dispensation to move data from Oracle’s data center in the US to other countries. As a result, it remains possible for viewers in Europe, for example, to watch videos from American makers and vice versa. If all data had to remain in the US, it would not have been possible. Oracle and the inspectorate will take samples of the data that TikTok sends to other countries to see if they meet the conditions.
It was already clear earlier that ByteDance will allow Oracle and an inspectorate to test TikTok’s code and algorithms check. In addition, ByteDance will set up a new business unit in the US to manage this, TikTok US Data Security. 2500 people will be employed there and the US government may impose requirements on those employees. For example, there will probably be no Chinese employees.
ByteDance sends the proposal to prevent the US government from banning TikTok or instructing ByteDance to sell TikTok in the US. TikTok has already been banned on many government phones in the US and there is a bill to ban the app. Government of India banned TikTok several years ago and there is also discussion about this subject in Europe.
