The Take Inside the TikTok deal: the politics of the algorithm
Sep 25, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Robert Rogowsky, a Professor of Trade and Economic Diplomacy at the Middlebury Institute, dives deep into the political and economic implications of a potential U.S. takeover of TikTok. He explains how TikTok's powerful algorithm captures user engagement and the risks of it falling into the hands of American tech giants and political interests. Rogowsky also evaluates concerns about content bias, the influence of media ownership on democracy, and suggests that political solutions are necessary to restore media competition.
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Algorithm Driven Attention Economy
- TikTok's algorithm maximizes engagement by measuring attention and tailoring content to keep users switching between videos.
- That attention-driven design is the core of its profitability and distinguishes it from competitors.
Key Value Is The Algorithm Itself
- The proposed deal centers on who gets the algorithm and how much of its 'magic' transfers to U.S. hands.
- Much about the deal remains unknown, especially what ByteDance and Beijing will agree to sell.
Who Might Run A U.S. TikTok
- Rogowsky names Larry Ellison, Elon Musk and the Murdochs as potential players forming a tense leadership group.
- He notes such consolidation would have been blocked under prior administrations but may proceed now.