The US version of TikTok has received an update bringing a new, community-oriented 'Local Feed', according to a blog shared by TikTok USDS Joint Venture.
TikTok USA: The first changes – New Local Feed
The Local Feed was designed to allow TikTok users to 'discover and connect with content, businesses and services' wherever they are. Available from a tab on the app's home screen, the feed includes content related to travel, events, restaurants and shopping, as well as posts from nearby small businesses and local creators.
See also: EU threatens TikTok with fine over 'addictive design'
TikTok in the US says that posts are selected based on location, content topic, and when the content was posted. TikTok users who want to access Local Feed will need to enable precise location.
"This approach is consistent with the way many modern apps use location today and gives people the option to turn it on when they want more relevant, local experiences, while still being in control," the blog post states.
Precise Location is disabled by default, and the feature is optional, with location only being transmitted when the app is in active use. Location data is 'protected in the secure environment of the TikTok USDS JV'.
TikTok in the US says it wants to 'ensure TikTok is useful, locally relevant and trustworthy'. A similar 'Nearby Feeds' feature was recently launched for users in Europe.
See also: USA: Who's afraid of the new TikTok?
TikTok USDS Joint Venture: The new owner of TikTok in the US
TikTok's U.S. operations were transferred to an American joint venture in late January, as remaining under China's Bytedance would have meant TikTok would be banned in the country. But the transition wasn't smooth. TikTok users were unable to upload videos and their posts were marked ineligible for recommendation, an issue the app said was due to a power outage at a data center.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is 80.1% owned by U.S. and global investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX. The three companies each hold 15% as managing investors, and other U.S. shareholders include the Dell Family Office and affiliates of Susquehanna International Group. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, continues to own 19.9%.
See also: Learn all about TikTok's new owners in the US
A seven-member American board of directors runs the American version of TikTok, with Adam Presser, former global chief operating officer, serving as CEO.
Under the agreement, the consortium will manage U.S. data protection,content moderation and algorithm security. TikTok’s recommendation algorithm is retrained and updated with U.S. user data, and is secured in Oracle’s cloud environment.
