TikTok has definitively avoided the risk of being blocked in the United States, signing a historic deal that creates a new American company with full control of data and operations in the U.S. The deal, which has been discussed for years, ends uncertainty about the platform's future and allows American users to continue using the app normally, without restrictions or account losses.
The new corporate entity will be called TikTok US and was created after months of negotiations with key investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and investment firm MGX. The three companies will each own 15% of the shares, while ByteDance – the Beijing-based parent company – will retain a minority stake of 19,9%. The remaining shareholding will be divided among American investors, including Michael Dell, founder of Dell Technologies.
The new American company will be led by Adam Presser, TikTok’s former chief operating officer and security officer, who will take on the role of CEO. Presser will work with a seven-member board of directors, the majority of which will be American citizens. Shou Chew, TikTok’s global CEO, will also join the board, ensuring continuity and consistency of the platform’s operations globally.
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The deal came after years of political tension and legal battles in the United States, where TikTok was accused of potential national security risks and leaking personal data to China. Congress had passed a law requiring ByteDance to either sell TikTok to an American company or shut down its operations in the country. For a brief period in early 2025, the app did indeed shut down, causing disruption for millions of users and content creators.
Everything changed when then-new President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily allowing TikTok to operate, with the aim of reaching an agreement that would ensure the platform operated under American supervision. That agreement is now a fact.
The new TikTok US will operate under strict data security rules. All US user data will be stored exclusively on servers managed by Oracle, within the United States, with ongoing government oversight and technical auditing. At the same time, TikTok’s famous content recommendation algorithm – the “secret weapon” that makes the app so addictive – will be readjusted, retrained and operated only on data collected from US users.
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In its official announcement, the company said the agreement sets out “clearly defined safeguards for national security, privacy, algorithm transparency, software control and content management in the US.” At the same time, ByteDance will continue to provide the technology platform, design and feature development, without having access to the personal data of American users.
The development marks the end of a period of uncertainty that lasted nearly four years and had affected both users and content creators. Millions of influencers, brands and musicians in the United States had begun to seek alternative platforms, fearing the possibility of losing their profiles and income.
Adam Presser, in his statements, emphasized that “TikTok is now a truly American product that operates with complete transparency and security.” He also pointed out that “the new collaboration model is a model for how technology can unite people without putting their personal data at risk.”
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The announcement of the deal was greeted with enthusiasm by the tech industry and investors, as it paves the way for new forms of collaboration between American and international tech companies. At the same time, millions of users in the US expressed relief that TikTok will continue to operate seamlessly — from the same app, without changes or new registrations.
The agreement confirms that TikTok has not only avoided a ban, but also secured its long-term presence in the US market. The new chapter for the platform begins on new terms — with national transparency, technological innovation, and a goal to fully restore the trust of users and authorities.
After years of tensions, legal threats, and political negotiations, TikTok has managed to stay alive, proving that the power of technology and the faith of its users can overcome even the most complex obstacles.
TikTok is not just an app anymore — it's a global cultural phenomenon that continues to evolve, this time with an American "passport" and a new operating model that could permanently change the future of social media.
