Story perspectives

Trump Administration Negotiates U.S. Control of TikTok

1/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Trump administration is negotiating for Oracle and U.S. investors to control TikTok's global operations, with ByteDance keeping a minority stake.
Oracle will manage TikTok's algorithm and data to reduce Chinese ownership influence.
This deal seeks to align with U.S. laws mandating ByteDance's divestment from TikTok.
Microsoft remains in discussions, while Walmart has withdrawn due to costs.
Chinese regulators have signaled they won't obstruct the ownership change.

History

Historical Context

The Trump administration's negotiations for Oracle to control TikTok's operations reflect ongoing tensions around data privacy and national security. This mirrors past concerns, notably after the Snowden revelations in 2013, which exposed extensive U.S. surveillance practices. The invalidation of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield in 2020 further highlighted global anxieties over data sovereignty, prompting countries to reassess their data protection frameworks.

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Story summary

The Trump administration is negotiating for Oracle and U.S. investors to control TikTok's global operations, with ByteDance keeping a minority stake.
Oracle will manage TikTok's algorithm and data to reduce Chinese ownership influence.
This deal seeks to align with U.S. laws mandating ByteDance's divestment from TikTok.
Microsoft remains in discussions, while Walmart has withdrawn due to costs.
Chinese regulators have signaled they won't obstruct the ownership change.

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