KQED's Forum Emily Baker-White on ‘The War Over TikTok’
Oct 13, 2025
Investigative reporter Emily Baker-White from Forbes dives into the ongoing battle over TikTok. She discusses the national security fears surrounding its Chinese ownership and the proposed U.S. buyout by American investors. Emily reveals how TikTok's addictive algorithm influences users and explores the implications of retaining ByteDance's ad and algorithm rights. The chat also highlights concerns about potential political influence and the need for creators to diversify their platforms as they face an uncertain future.
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Recommendation Engine Uses Revealed Preferences
- TikTok's feed is driven more by revealed, not stated, preferences which makes content feel instantly engaging.
- The app infers interests from subtle behaviors like how long you linger on a video, creating addictive recommendations.
Ownership Creates Security Concerns
- ByteDance's Chinese ownership raised fears because Chinese law can compel companies to provide data to the state.
- U.S. officials worried that data and algorithmic influence could become national security risks over time.
Enforcement Choices Shaped TikTok's Fate
- Presidents can choose how aggressively to enforce laws, which allowed TikTok to stay online despite a congressional deadline.
- Trump prioritized negotiating a sale instead of enforcing the new ban law at inauguration.
