[SoylentYellow]

> Country of origin is irrelelvant.

Country of origin is still very relevant. China has National Security Laws that compel companies and citizens to provide access to and actively help their intelligence agencies. The CCP right now can lawfully order TikTok to push a version with a backdoor and then gaslight the US about its existence if found, e.g. oh that was just an innocent software bug. Or to secretly provide user data and lie about providing it.

[snehk]

You should read up about things like Crypto AG and then you'll notice that country of origin is indeed completely irrelevant.

[zodiakzz]

No it isn't. Tracking is a side issue, CCP can influence public opinion during elections by altering the "For You" algorithm.