ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is allegedly selling the AI technology behind the short video-making app to other companies, including in India, where the app is banned.
BytePlus is selling TikTok AI to companies like India-based social gaming platform GamesApp, US fashion app Goat, Singapore travel site WeGo, and Indonesian shopping app Chilibeli, among others, reports the Financial Times.
In 2020, the Indian government banned several apps developed by Chinese companies, including TikTok, due to concerns that they were engaging in activities that threatened national security.
ByteDance-owned short video-sharing platform TikTok’s India head, Nikhil Gandhi, stepped down last month. TikTok roped in Gandhi in 2019 as India’s head to drive the next phase of growth for the Chinese short video-sharing platform.
TikTok’s recommendation algorithm is one of the main reasons for its popularity.
According to the report that came out on Sunday, BytePlus offers customers the chance to access the TikTok recommendation algorithm and “personalise it for their apps and customers.”
BytePlus also offers automated speech and text translation and real-time video effects and data analysis tools, according to its website.
The core TikTok algorithms, often credited for the platform’s rapid growth, determine the videos users see even before they start following creators.
In a blog post, the company explained that its ‘ForYou’ feed determines what videos to serve a given user.
Its recommendations are based on user interactions, including which videos you like, share comments on, or create, video information, device and account settings, including what device you’re using, language preferences, and location settings.
TikTok’s source code and user data are maintained separately from other businesses owned by its parent company ByteDance.