ByteDance selling TikTok AI to Indian Companies despite Ban

ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, is reportedly selling the AI technology of the short video-making app to other companies.

According to reports, some of the companies are also based in India, where the app is currently banned.

The Financial Times says that ByteDance has implemented a new division called BytePlus, and is selling TikTok’s AI to companies through it.

Some of the organisations include India-based social gaming platform GamesApp, Singapore travel website WeGo and the US fashion app GOAT.

Through BytePlus, customers can access TikTok’s algorithm and “personalise it for their apps and customers”, according to reports.

According to its website, BytePlus also provides automated speech and text translation, as well as real-time video effects.

The technology behind the app recommending videos depending on a user’s interactions is at the forefront of TikTok’s algorithm.

Its recommendations come from what users like or comment on, as well as the device used and language preferences.

In 2020, the company explained in a blog post how TikTok’s ‘For You’ feed determines what videos a user sees.

This is what makes the app so popular.

Now, BytePlus is offering customers the chance to access TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, and personalise it for themselves.

ByteDance selling TikTok’s AI to other businesses comes amid its hopes that the app will make a comeback in India.

In June 2020, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok.

The ban came due to user privacy and national security concerns, as well as border tensions between India and China.

TikTok lost around 200 million users as a result. But now, ByteDance is hoping to get the app back into the Indian market.

Speaking to The Print about TikTok’s supposed comeback in India, a source said that ByteDance are willing to comply with any new IT rules in place for social media platforms.

The source said:

“ByteDance is definitely hopeful that the ban will be lifted and that operations in India can be resumed.

“India is a key market for ByteDance and no tech company can afford to not be in a country with 1.4 billion users.

“ByteDance is a global firm and pursuant [to] this, ByteDance has not even sought intervention of Chinese diplomates in discussions with the Indian government as the convention may be for Chinese companies.”