What TikToks new owners mean for your feed

Published: Friday, January 23, 2026 at 7:10 pm

TikTok US Operations Under New Ownership: What Users Need to Know

The popular video-sharing app TikTok has undergone a significant transformation in the United States, with a new ownership structure now in place. A $14 billion deal, finalized on January 22nd, saw ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, spin off the platform's US operations into a joint venture. This move introduces a new slate of American executives and a shift in control over the app's data and content moderation.

The new joint venture, TikTok US Data Security (USDS) Joint Venture LLC, includes investment from Silver Lake, Abu Dhabi's MGX, and the cloud giant Oracle, each holding a 15% stake. ByteDance retains a 19.9% stake. Adam Presser, formerly TikTok's global head of operations and trust and safety, will serve as CEO of the US-based company, while Will Farrell, previously head of security and privacy for TikTok's US arm, becomes the chief security officer. Shou Zi Chew remains the CEO of TikTok's global operations under ByteDance and will sit on the board of directors for the US joint venture.

The transition involves a new version of the platform's algorithm, which will be retrained and updated using US user data. This is intended to address concerns about potential influence from the Chinese government. The app will maintain interoperability with the global TikTok platform, ensuring users can access content from other countries and that US-based creators can be discovered globally.

A new terms of service agreement is being rolled out for US users. One notable change is the collection of precise geolocation data, contingent on user permission. The updated terms also address the collection of information from AI interactions. While some users have expressed concerns, many of the existing data collection practices remain unchanged from the previous policy.

Oracle is now responsible for TikTok's security, data privacy, and the algorithm in the US. The joint venture will also oversee content moderation and trust and safety policies. This has raised concerns about potential censorship, particularly given the political affiliations of some investors.

BNN's Perspective: The new ownership structure of TikTok in the US presents both opportunities and challenges. While the involvement of US-based investors and executives may alleviate some national security concerns, the potential for political influence over content moderation is a valid concern. Transparency and accountability from the new leadership will be crucial to maintaining user trust and ensuring a fair and open platform.

Keywords: TikTok, US, ownership, ByteDance, Oracle, algorithm, content moderation, terms of service, data privacy, censorship, Donald Trump, Shou Zi Chew, Adam Presser, Will Farrell

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