22 votes

TikTok reaches deal to partner with Oracle, rejects Microsoft's plan

3 comments

  1. [3]
    RNG
    Link
    Well, it appears that this may have fallen through as well [1]. I've felt the proposed ban here in the US to be a bit of an odd idea. It does appear that current US social media titans are...

    Well, it appears that this may have fallen through as well [1]. I've felt the proposed ban here in the US to be a bit of an odd idea.

    It does appear that current US social media titans are incredibly valuable troves of intelligence for not only law enforcement but for intelligence agencies. Considering Facebook and Twitter's worldwide popularity, this provides the US a massive strategic asymmetrical advantage, as US businesses are often coerced into enabling their platforms to be surveillance tools for US intelligence.

    I think this view not only explains the PRC's ban on US social media, but also the US's ban on TikTok. A popular social media site like TikTok, in this view, is not only the privation of a US's use of clandestine surveillance, but an active tool in the hands of the PRC to do the same. Bringing operations home allows the US to integrate TikTok into its surveillance apparatus, but protects US interests from its use by the PRC.

    [1] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-bytedance-tiktok-cgtn-idUSKBN2650MC

    12 votes
    1. Deimos
      Link Parent
      It seems as though it's turned into some kind of hosting deal instead of an actual sale, with Oracle saying they'll be TikTok's "trusted technology provider". Techdirt article: Oracle Doesn't Buy...

      It seems as though it's turned into some kind of hosting deal instead of an actual sale, with Oracle saying they'll be TikTok's "trusted technology provider".

      Techdirt article: Oracle Doesn't Buy TikTok, But Gets A Lucrative Hosting Deal, And Trump & Friends Will Pretend This Means Something

      12 votes
    2. vord
      Link Parent
      Fundementally, it's probably a good idea. Of the tech giants, Oracle and Microsoft are my two most despised, even more than Facebook. It's easier to keep away from Facebook overall. Oracle...

      Fundementally, it's probably a good idea. Of the tech giants, Oracle and Microsoft are my two most despised, even more than Facebook. It's easier to keep away from Facebook overall.

      Oracle acquires then squeezes out every possible dime. Getting them into the user data mining business is a terrible idea for a wide variety of reasons.

      Microsoft, at it's best of times, will do anything to force it into its ecosystem. Skype being the first in my head. Github will get there eventually. I'm thinking azure-only automatons and proprietary git 'enhancements'. Even if not that, will likely be mined for acquisition and EEE targets.

      Edit: Not that I use TikTok, but I do have numerous objections to ever-expanding tech robber barons.

      9 votes