StyledText-sc-a711e2a5-8 czSkWg”>The agreement, prompted by national security concerns outlined in a 2024 law, allows TikTok to continue operating in the United States. ByteDance, TikTok’s original parent company, will retain 19.9% ownership, while the managing investors will control 45% of the company. Existing ByteDance investors will hold the remaining shares.
- The managing investors will be responsible for US user data and content moderation.
- ByteDance will maintain ownership of TikTok’s algorithm, but will lease a copy to the new US entity.
Did you know? – TikTok’s popularity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a dominant force in social media and a key platform for viral trends and entertainment.
StyledText-sc-a711e2a5-8 czSkWg”>You won’t need to download a new app, but you may have noticed updated terms of service. These changes have raised concerns among some users,with some even deleting the app in protest. The new terms grant TikTok access to your precise location, a step beyond the approximate location data previously collected.
analysts suggest the risk of manipulation, previously attributed to potential Chinese government influence, could simply shift to reflect the priorities of the app’s new, politically connected ownership.
Reader question – Do you think the new ownership structure will genuinely address national security concerns, or is this a cosmetic change? Share your thoughts.