The widely popular video-sharing platform TikTok has finalized an ownership restructuring that establishes a majority American-owned entity, bringing closure to a prolonged period of uncertainty that affected users, creators, investors, and employees. The announcement Thursday provides long-awaited stability.
ByteDance, the Chinese technology conglomerate that created TikTok, has agreed to reduce its ownership stake to 19.9% in the American entity after years of uncertain prospects, while US investors assume controlling interest with 80.1%. Oracle, Silver Lake, MGX, and Michael Dell’s firm create stable American ownership ending the uncertainty.
This resolution addresses years of ambiguity about TikTok’s American future that created planning challenges across stakeholder groups. Creators couldn’t confidently invest in building TikTok audiences without knowing if the platform would exist, advertisers hesitated to commit budgets to an uncertain platform, employees faced career uncertainty, and the company struggled with strategic planning amid existential questions. The prolonged uncertainty from 2020 through 2025 took substantial toll.
Leadership of the American entity will be entrusted to Adam Presser as CEO, providing stable leadership after years of uncertainty about organizational structure. The company will be overseen by a seven-member board with American majority providing governance stability. Shou Chew participates as a board member, ensuring continuity as uncertainty resolves.
The new US entity implements comprehensive safeguards ending security uncertainty: clearly defined data protection protocols, specified algorithm security measures, established moderation standards, and verified software integrity processes replace ambiguous commitments. The recommendation algorithm undergoes defined retraining processes with clear parameters. Both governments approved the arrangement, with official confirmation ending political and regulatory uncertainty. The resolution allows stakeholders to plan confidently for TikTok’s American future after years of doubt.