The Inside Story Podcast Why has TikTok become an issue in the US?
Jan 24, 2026
Anupam Chander, law professor focused on tech regulation; Sarah Kreps, technology policy and national security expert; Einar Tangen, specialist in China and digital geopolitics. They unpack TikTok’s new US deal. They discuss algorithm control, data and influence worries, political motivations, and what a US-based split would mean for global platforms.
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TikTok's Resilience In The U.S.
- TikTok flourished in the U.S. despite years of political attacks and threats of bans.
- By 2026 it had grown to twice its 2020 user base, showing resilience amid scrutiny.
Algorithm As TikTok's Core Product
- ByteDance's Douyin powers the Chinese app and the algorithm is the key product.
- The algorithm personalizes feeds tightly, which drives heavy engagement and ad revenue.
China's Export Controls On The Algorithm
- China placed TikTok's recommendation algorithm on an export control list in 2020.
- Beijing treated the AI as strategically important, limiting its export like advanced military tech.