U.S. President Donald Trump said he is discussing multiple potential deals to acquire TikTok, a popular app widely used in the U.S., and expects a decision on its future within the next 30 days. The discussions involve several investors, including ByteDance, Oracle, and representatives from the Chinese government.
ByteDance retains a majority stake in TikTok after the app was banned by the U.S. government under Section 230 of the Digital Content Distribution Act (DCDD). However, Trump and other stakeholders believe a joint venture with significant U.S. ownership is crucial for TikTok’s long-term stability.
The deal hinges on resolving regulatory complexities tied to TikTok’s operations in the U.S., including its use of Oracle cloud servers and cloud-based moderation tools. ByteDance argues its content recommendation engine and user data are stored in the U.S., while U.S. officials have claimed ties to China, sparking legal challenges.
White House officials face hurdles in appeasing Congress and avoiding technical violations of Section 230 if TikTok is delisted from U.S. stores. The discussions aim to balance Trump’s desire for U.S. control with ByteDance’s commitment to maintaining the app’s independence.
The outcome could shape TikTok’s global trajectory, its stakeholders’ interests, and regulatory dynamics in key markets.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/white-house-talks-have-oracle-us-investors-take-over-tiktok-npr-reports-2025-01-25