That consortium will license the recommendation algorithm that ByteDance uses to keep TikTok users scrolling—flatly ignoring a law that prohibits any cooperation with ByteDance on running TikTok’s algorithm. This deal still leaves TikTok’s algorithm as a “black box” in China’s hands, said Dave Lee in Bloomberg. “How will videos on TikTok America appear to the outside world and vice versa?”And what happens to TikTok’s worldwide “viral stars”? However those matters are handled, many people will suspect that on the new TikTok, Trump is “pulling the strings,” just as China does on its home turf with apps like Douyin, the censored Chinese version of TikTok. From our daily WeekDay news briefing to an award-winning Food & Drink email, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.