The headlines this week have been declarative. They claim the “TikTok Crisis” is over. They say the threat of a ban has faded now that Oracle has officially acquired the platform’s US operations.
I say we have just entered the most confusing chapter yet.
The app you knew yesterday isn’t quite the same one you are scrolling today. A new way of delivering content is in effect. The “pipes” that carry your data have changed. But let’s be real. Nobody is breathing a true sigh of relief.
Instead, there is a heavy skepticism in the air. Creators and businesses alike are waiting to see if the “magic” of the algorithm the secret sauce that drives the creator economy—survives the migration to a corporate enterprise cloud.
Changing the Landlord, Not the Reality
I am not a politician. But from where I sit as a technologist, I think we need to stop looking for safety in a corporate press release.
We changed the landlord, but we didn’t change the reality.
There is a hyper-focus on who owns the app. The assumption is that because a US-based enterprise giant acquired the platform, the data privacy issues magically vanish.
They don’t.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Data
Here is the uncomfortable truth about the modern internet. Every time you click “I Agree” on a Terms of Service, no matter who owns the server, you are making a trade. You are trading your data for convenience.
This dynamic exists whether the data center is in Beijing, Texas, or Dublin.
- Behavioral Prediction: Companies use your data to predict your purchasing behavior.
- Surveillance: Governments use metadata to monitor macro trends.
- Retention: Algorithms use your interaction history to keep you scrolling longer.
Changing the logo on the building does not change the fundamental business model of social media.
We Still Have the Mic
But here is the other side of that coin. It is the side we often forget in the panic over servers and bans.
We still have the mic.
Regardless of the new delivery systems, the corporate logo, or the cloud infrastructure, the platform itself remains a tool. And it is one of the most powerful tools for connection and education in human history.
Data privacy is crucial. You must be wary. You must be responsible with what you share. But do not let the skepticism silence you.
Your Competitive Advantage
In a digital economy, your ability to communicate is your leverage.
- Reach: You have the ability to reach millions of people instantly.
- Influence: You have the power to shift culture.
- Education: You can democratize knowledge in ways that were impossible ten years ago.
The Final Verdict
Let’s be wary and responsible on the web. Absolutely. We should demand transparency from Oracle just as we demanded it before.
But let’s also make use of our information and our voices to make the world a better place, not hurt it.
The servers belong to them. The message belongs to us.
Make sure yours is worth listening to.
This article was originally published as a social media series. Click here to view the original discussion on LinkedIn and join the conversation.
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