Economist Podcasts Under different thumbs: a scant TikTok deal
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Sep 26, 2025 
Tom Wainwright, media editor at The Economist, dives into the implications of TikTok's potential divestment from Chinese ownership, revealing national security concerns and the balance of power among U.S. investors. He discusses the complexities of retaining some control for ByteDance and the risks of media consolidation under new ownership. The conversation shifts to the alarming rise of dengue fever, exploring how climate change raises its transmission, especially in urban settings, as well as insights on prevention strategies and the health risks associated with this disease.
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US Law Forces TikTok Divestment
- The US law requires TikTok to be divested from ByteDance to remove Chinese ownership pressure.
- Enforcement has been repeatedly delayed while Washington debates how to structure the split.
Data And Algorithm Risks Loom Large
- Security concerns center on data access and algorithm manipulation by Beijing.
- Manipulating TikTok's recommendation algorithm could shape Americans' news consumption and influence politics.
Prospective Buyers Are US-Aligned Investors
- Reported buyers include Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-backed MGX, while ByteDance keeps under 20%.
- The buyer group appears politically and commercially aligned with the president.