Even if the Chinese government allows the sale of TikTok US, why would ByteDance agree to sell the algorithm & operational playbook that powers a $146 billion global revenue business? Because that’s what would necessarily need to happen?!
The US market, estimated at around $12 billion for 2024, accounts for less than 10% of that revenue, and the 170 million US users are also less than 10% of total user base. Selling the algorithm (and operational playbook, may I add, which is very important) would create a competitor, potentially one that could then expand globally, then even undermining ByteDance’s business outside the US. It also sets a dangerous precedent for other markets where they operate, signaling vulnerability to political pressure.
