Short-form video platform TikTok will continue operating in the United States following the creation of TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, the company said in a statement posted on its website.
This follows a year of uncertainty after the US government banned TikTok over concerns about national security, data collection, and possible influence by the Chinese government. TikTok is operated by China-based ByteDance.
Under the new structure, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will be majority American-owned and will operate with safeguards to protect US national security. These measures cover how user data is stored, how the recommendation algorithm is secured, how content is moderated, and how software systems are reviewed for compliance.
The joint venture has three managing investors, Silver Lake, Oracle, and MGX, each holding a 15% stake. Adam Presser was appointed chief executive officer by the board as one of its first actions. He will be joined by Will Farrell, who will serve as chief security officer. Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, will serve as director in the joint venture.
According to TikTok, the joint venture’s main role is to protect US user data, applications, and the content recommendation algorithm through data privacy and cybersecurity controls. It will also oversee trust and safety policies and content moderation to protect the US content ecosystem. The company said accountability will be supported through transparency reports and third-party certifications.
Oracle, a software company and stakeholder in the venture, will handle most of the data collection, security systems, and algorithm-related operations. US user data and the content recommendation algorithm will be hosted and secured in Oracle’s US-based cloud environment.
“The program will adhere to major industry standards, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and 800-53 and ISO 27001, as well as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) security requirements for restricted transactions,” TikTok said.
The joint venture will also retrain, test, and update the content recommendation algorithm using US user data. TikTok said this process is designed to limit access, improve oversight, and reduce risks tied to data handling and content delivery.
The company did not provide a timeline for when the new setup will be fully implemented but said the joint venture is intended to address long-standing US government concerns while allowing the platform to continue serving American users.