The deal aims to address long-standing U.S. concerns over data security and foreign ownership.
ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, has reached an agreement to sell the app’s U.S. operations to a group of American investors, including Oracle, according to people familiar with the deal. The move comes amid sustained pressure from U.S. officials over national security concerns.
ByteDance has agreed to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to a consortium of American investors that includes Oracle, according to people familiar with the matter. The agreement is intended to place control of TikTok’s U.S. business under American ownership and oversight.
The deal follows years of scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and regulators who have raised concerns about user data, potential influence from the Chinese government, and national security risks tied to foreign ownership of a widely used social media platform.
Oracle, which has previously partnered with TikTok on cloud infrastructure and data storage, is expected to play a central role in the new ownership structure. Specific financial terms and governance details have not yet been publicly disclosed.
U.S. officials have argued that a sale is necessary to ensure American user data is protected under U.S. law. ByteDance has repeatedly denied that it improperly shares data with Chinese authorities.
The transaction may still require regulatory approvals, including review by U.S. national security bodies. Analysts note that the deal could face additional legal and political hurdles before it is finalized.
If completed, the sale would mark a major shift in TikTok’s U.S. presence and could reshape the platform’s future operations, advertising business, and regulatory environment in the United States.
