Negotiations Advance on TikTok Deal with Oracle

The Trump administration is advancing plans to save TikTok by restructuring its ownership and operations. The proposal involves Oracle and a group of U.S.-based investors taking control of TikTok's global operations. ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based owner, would retain a minority stake while Oracle oversees the app’s algorithm, data collection, and software updates. This structure aims to minimize Chinese ownership and enhance data security, addressing longstanding national security concerns.

Sources involved in the talks confirmed that Oracle would play a central role in managing TikTok’s infrastructure, with potential investors like Microsoft also participating, NPR reports. While Walmart previously explored investing in TikTok, the retailer has reportedly stepped back, citing the app's estimated valuation of over $200 billion. Oracle is interested in a significant stake, valued in the tens of billions, though negotiations remain fluid.

Image credit: Oracle Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison speaks during a news conference with President Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/Getty Images North America.

This plan is critical to satisfying Congress, which previously mandated TikTok’s separation from ByteDance under the "qualified divestiture" requirement. An executive order from President Trump granted a 75-day extension to finalize the deal, though some legal experts question the order's ability to override Congress's deadline.

National security experts and lawmakers have expressed concerns about ensuring TikTok operates without covert ties to ByteDance. Past efforts, including the Biden-era Project Texas, failed to guarantee independence from ByteDance. A congressional staffer emphasized the importance of binding agreements to eliminate potential backdoors that might allow Chinese authorities access to U.S. user data.

The discussions also align with broader geopolitical dynamics. Chinese regulators recently signaled they would not block a potential sale, marking a shift in Beijing's stance. Analysts believe China might be leveraging TikTok's sale to negotiate tariff relief with the U.S.

The controversy over TikTok's ownership comes as the app faces operational challenges in the U.S. Apple and Google removed TikTok from their app stores after the Supreme Court upheld a nationwide ban on the app while it remains under ByteDance’s control. Without app store access, TikTok cannot provide updates or expand its user base, further pressuring the platform.

Despite these challenges, Oracle, which restored TikTok’s web infrastructure following Trump’s executive order, appears confident in the administration's assurances. Meanwhile, Apple and Google have opted for caution, refraining from reinstating the app until further clarity on the deal emerges. As negotiations continue, the future of TikTok remains uncertain, with the next steps contingent on securing both political and corporate approvals.