Oracle will approve code in US version of TikTok before it goes live

Oracle is going to digitally sign changes to the code of the US version of social media app TikTok. This should provide the US government with certainty that parent company ByteDance does not build any backdoors into the code.

In addition to Oracle, a third party designated by a US government organization will also inspect the code before it goes live, reports Lawfareblog. The site was at a presentation of Project Texas, the plan with which TikTok wants to avoid a ban on its app in the US. Earlier, various details of TikTok’s plans came out.

Lawfareblog also reports that TikTok will apply for dispensation to move data from Oracle’s data center in the US to other countries. As a result, it remains possible for viewers in Europe, for example, to watch videos from American makers and vice versa. If all data had to remain in the US, it would not have been possible. Oracle and the inspectorate will take samples of the data that TikTok sends to other countries to see if they meet the conditions.

Earlier it was already clear that ByteDance has Oracle check TikTok’s code and algorithms during an inspection. In addition, ByteDance will set up a new business unit in the US to manage this, TikTok US Data Security. 2500 people will be employed there and the US government may impose requirements on those employees. For example, probably no Chinese employees will be employed.

ByteDance sends the proposal to prevent the US government from banning TikTok or ordering ByteDance to sell TikTok in the US. TikTok is already banned on many government phones in the US and a bill is pending to ban the app. The Indian government banned TikTok a few years ago and there is also discussion about this topic in Europe.