TikTok is introducing a knowledge portability API to assist it adjust to new European rules designed to rein in Large Tech’s market dominance via numerous obligations and restrictions.
The European Union (EU) assigned “gatekeeper” standing to 6 tech firms final September, with TikTok mum or dad Bytedance positioned within the regulatory firing line alongside Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft. Whereas TikTok/Bytedance continues to contest the choice to provide it gatekeeper standing arguing that it’s truly a challenger somewhat than an incumbent, for now it has to adjust to the varied DMA obligations that come into power after March 6.
Knowledge transfers
Knowledge portability and interoperability constitutes a serious a part of the DMA rules, and tech firms have been bolstering their efforts on this entrance for a number of years in preparation. TikTok, for its half, already allowed customers to obtain a replica of their posts and request a replica of their knowledge for the needs of utilizing it on different platforms — however this was a static course of that didn’t account for the truth that knowledge is consistently altering and refreshing.
Thus the information portability API goes a way towards addressing that limitation, permitting third-party builders to construct conduits for knowledge to journey from TikTok to their very own apps — if the consumer authorizes this. This may be configured for recurring or one-time transfers, and is designed to counter the standard “walled backyard” strategy that social networks of yore are famed for.
Via the API, builders can request entry to “all accessible knowledge,” or particular person classes together with TikTok posts and profile knowledge, exercise, and direct messages (DMs).
The information portability API is on the market to candidates globally, however the developer should be capable of display a “well-defined use case” earlier than they are going to be permitted. Furthermore, the API is simply relevant to customers within the European Financial Space (EEA), so the developer should be capable of distinguish their market segments regionally.
On high of that, TikTok mentioned that it’s additionally refreshing its foremost ‘obtain your knowledge’ instrument, so customers can now select which classes of knowledge they want to obtain (e.g. DMs or posts). This replace will land first within the EEA, however it will likely be made accessible globally sooner or later.
