Microsoft faces tech challenges in TikTok move

Microsoft's bid to buy parts of TikTok will be a technical challenge that could test the patience of the Trump Administration.

That's according to sources close to the matter.

They believe the clean break between TikTok and its Chinese owner ByteDance that President Donald Trump wants could take a year or more.

Microsoft is currently negotiating a transition period that will give time to ringfence TikTok from ByteDance after they agree a deal.

In order to keep TikTok running uninterrupted, one cyber security expert Reuters spoke to said Microsoft would likely have to rely on ByteDance's own code.

It would then be moved to a new back-end infrastructure to serve users in future.

Microsoft must also work out how to transfer a key part of TikTok's success - the recommendation engine.

This algorithm powers TikTok's 'For You' page which recommends the next video to watch based on analysis of user behaviour.

Microsoft's negotiations are also complicated by its move for the acquisition of TikTok's operations in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

So not only would TikTok have to be separated from ByteDance, but it would also have to be broken up from TikTok's other regions.

This adds to the technical challenges because of the amount of data involved.

Trump recently gave Microsoft until September 15th to put together a deal for TikTok's U.S. service.

The U.S. President views the popular Chinese app as a threat to national security.