Washington: TikTok has reached a major agreement with US authorities that will allow the popular video sharing platform to continue operating in the country, ending years of uncertainty over a possible ban.
According to the deal, TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance will create a new US based joint venture that will take control of TikTok’s operations in the United States. The move is aimed at addressing long standing concerns in Washington about national security and user data protection.
Under the new structure, the US venture will be majority owned by American and global investors, while ByteDance will retain a minority stake of less than 20 percent. The company will no longer have controlling power over the US business. Major investors in the new entity include Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX.
As part of the agreement, all data belonging to US TikTok users will be stored on Oracle’s cloud infrastructure inside the United States. The US entity will also oversee content moderation, security systems and operational decisions related to the American market. Independent audits and monitoring mechanisms are expected to be put in place to ensure compliance.
The deal follows the passage of a US law that required ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a nationwide ban. Lawmakers had argued that the app’s Chinese ownership could allow foreign access to sensitive user data, a claim TikTok has repeatedly denied.
TikTok’s leadership said the agreement provides clarity for its millions of American users and creators, who had feared the app could suddenly disappear. The company said it remains committed to protecting user privacy and operating transparently in the US.
Political reaction in Washington was largely positive, with officials describing the deal as a compromise that balances national security concerns with the economic and cultural impact of keeping TikTok online. Former US president Donald Trump also welcomed the agreement, saying it preserves jobs and avoids disruption for users.
With approvals secured from both US and Chinese authorities, TikTok’s future in the United States now appears more stable, marking the end of one of the most closely watched technology disputes between Washington and Beijing.