As of 2026-01-22, control of TikTok’s U.S. operations will transfer to a joint venture primarily led by American investors. This follows more than a year of negotiations and legislative mandates.
Deal Structure and Stakeholders
The agreement, communicated internally by TikTok CEO Shou Chew, establishes a joint venture owned by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, holding a 15% stake, while ByteDance retains 19.9%. An additional 30.1% will be owned by affiliates of current ByteDance investors. The board of directors will consist of seven members, with a majority being American.
Changes for U.S. Users
The TikTok algorithm, a particular concern of the U.S. government for its influence capacity, will undergo changes. The joint venture will recalibrate the recommendation algorithms using U.S. user data to prevent external manipulation. Additionally, U.S. user data will be stored securely in an Oracle-managed cloud environment within the United States.
Implications and Uncertainties
Though the sale is due to close next month, potential obstacles remain. Chinese governmental approval is not yet confirmed, though previously suggested by U.S. officials. Whether the sale aligns with congressional requirements for TikTok's U.S. business remains to be seen. Should the deal finalize successfully, users will begin to notice alterations in their content feeds and moderation processes.
