People don’t know what they don’t have until you sell it to them, right? And I’m very convinced that when people see that there’s a version of TikTok 2.0, where they curate their algorithm, they’re in charge, they own themselves, they analyze their data and they get value for it, people will clamor for that. . They will rush to do it. It is a much better model.
We could debate this all day, but we would be the ones taking the risk. We are the ones who put up the money and say this will work. ByteDance can shut it down or they can raise the money for the platform and wish us luck.
Right now, TikTok is associated with specific types of content, such as dances, silly videos, and a younger audience. Do you intend for the new version of TikTok to maintain that approach?
Well, I think the Gen Z user base is critical to keeping them engaged, because young people create culture. And TikTok is a culture creator if there ever was one. But I do want to add that recent surveys show that for 47 percent of Generation ZAlthough they use it several hours a day, they wish it had never been invented. Due to the highly addictive nature and how they sometimes feel right after spending so much time. So let’s create a healthier version, where it’s a super polished app, easy to use and looks very similar to the current one. But the users are in charge.
Do you think giving teens full control without a manipulative algorithm will help them reduce their screen time?
I believe that once control is put in the hands of individuals, people will make decisions for themselves. Some will make good decisions, others will make bad decisions. However, what is really important is that when it comes to very young people, parents must have some capacity to be parents. Young people need to receive guidance. They need to be parents, and now it’s very difficult for parents to compete (with the algorithm).
That is why we must take a step back. TikTok is amazing. We want to keep it alive. Let’s build a better version. But you know what? Healthy teenagers are great too. Being a good father is also great. Individual human rights and their protection are also amazing. Protecting American citizens is also great.
If TikTok’s appeal to the Supreme Court takes some time, will you still want to buy the app, even if it’s months or years away?
Yes, we are prepared to do this when it happens. What to me is a huge coincidence is that this legislation happened and TikTok can be available. Because moving 170 million people to a new stack will very quickly catalyze this improved alternative Internet. Right now, one of the big problems we have is that we debate things about the Internet, but until there is another option, people are a little stuck.
I compare this to large-scale human physical migration. There are people who live in very difficult places, in the case of my ancestors, there was a famine, they really want to go somewhere else. But a second condition is required, and that is that you need a place to go. Right now, people are waking up to the harms of today’s Internet and the fact that they are being taken advantage of and not being adequately or fairly rewarded. But nothing will happen unless there is an alternative and a place they can go.