• Melkath ( Melkath@kbin.social ) 
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    3 years ago

    In fact, even if they wanted to they can’t.

    Remember the “algorithm panic” that happened a couple years ago? The one that saw Zuckerberg the subject of a senate hearing?

    During that, they made it illegal to sell algorithms.

    So the TikTok logo can be sold, but it is illegal for them to sell the algorithm that is TikTok.

    • bl4kers ( bl4kers@lemmy.ml ) 
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      3 years ago

      I’m not sure what specifically you’re referring to, but algorithms are, generally speaking, code. You can purchase a company and their code.

      • Melkath ( Melkath@kbin.social ) 
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        3 years ago

        Admittedly, I don’t know the details, so I’ll concede readily if someone has something to say I’m flat out wrong, but TikTok is on fire with lawyers posting their legal analysis of the situation, and the overwhelming concensus that a couple years ago, a series of laws were passed that would make it illegal for a US company to purchase a Chinese algorithm.

        The company, the branding, yes.

        Specifically the algorithm, no.

        Paranoid people who don’t know how to open a PDF passed laws that make that nearly, if not entirely, impossible.

        Or so a bunch of lawyers that have side TikTok gigs say.

        They are anticipating that being a core argument when TikTok US sues the federal government.