With security concerns mounting over Chinese-owned apps like TikTok and DeepSeek, Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas is positioning his company as the best contender to take over TikTok’s U.S. operations. In a recent interview, he laid out his vision for a censorship-free, secure and American-run platform, asserting that Perplexity is uniquely qualified to rebuild TikTok’s algorithm from the ground up.
At the heart of his argument is the issue of data security. Srinivas pointed out the risks of DeepSeek’s model, which routes user data through China and applies censorship in alignment with the Chinese Communist Party’s regulations.
“When you use the DeepSeek app, your input or your user request goes to China, and you cannot control that,” he explained. By contrast, Perplexity has demonstrated its ability to host and operate AI models within the U.S., ensuring compliance with American data privacy standards.
Srinivas also believes that an AI-driven company, rather than traditional private equity firms or tech giants, is best suited to handle the complex task of replicating TikTok’s algorithm.
“An AI company can do it faster. I’m not saying it’s an easy task, but it’s better understood,” he asserted. He argues that Perplexity is the only non-megacap AI firm capable of taking on this challenge, citing the company’s expertise in AI search and content recommendation systems.
Beyond security concerns, Srinivas sees deeper integration between Perplexity and TikTok to enhance search capabilities and counter misinformation. He sees an opportunity for AI-powered community notes to provide additional context to viral content.
“A lot of propaganda and misinformation exists on TikTok, so something like an AI-powered community notes feature is necessary,” he said.
Perplexity’s bid for TikTok comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the app’s Chinese ties. While previous efforts to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations have stalled, Srinivas is confident that Perplexity can deliver a solution that preserves the platform’s appeal while protecting American interests. His pitch is bold: a TikTok free from foreign influence, powered by AI, and aligned with the principles of free speech and data sovereignty.
