If you’ve been scrolling through your FYP lately and wondering why the "TikTok ban" never actually happened, you’re not alone. It’s been a chaotic couple of years. One minute we're told the app is disappearing on a Tuesday, and the next, it’s back like nothing happened. But behind the scenes, the ownership of this app has gone through a massive, confusing facelift.
So, who owns TikTok now?
The short answer is: it’s complicated. As of January 2026, TikTok isn't just one single company anymore. To avoid getting kicked out of the U.S. entirely, the platform basically split itself in two. The version you use in America is now moving into a new home called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC.
It’s basically a "franchise" model. ByteDance, the Chinese parent company everyone was worried about, still exists and still owns the global version of the app. But for the U.S. business, they’ve been forced to take a backseat—legally, at least.
The New Power Players: Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX
For years, the U.S. government argued that ByteDance’s ownership was a national security risk. They didn't like that a Chinese company controlled the algorithm and the data of 170 million Americans. After a mountain of lawsuits and several extensions from the Trump administration throughout 2025, a deal finally closed on January 22, 2026.
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Here is how the pie is actually sliced up for the new U.S. entity:
- Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX: These three are the big winners. They each hold a 15% stake, meaning they collectively control 45% of the new U.S. joint venture.
- ByteDance (Direct): To satisfy the "divestiture" laws, ByteDance had to drop its direct ownership of the U.S. branch to just 19.9%.
- Existing ByteDance Investors: About 30.1% is held by the same international venture capital firms that already invested in ByteDance (think BlackRock, General Atlantic, and Susquehanna).
- New Minority Investors: A small 5% sliver is floating around with other smaller partners.
Honestly, if you look at those numbers, it’s pretty clear that while ByteDance "divested," their existing investors still hold a massive chunk of the influence.
Why Oracle is the "Trusted Security Partner"
Oracle isn't just an investor; they are the landlord. Larry Ellison, Oracle’s chairman, has been trying to get his hands on TikTok since 2020. Now, all U.S. user data lives on Oracle’s cloud servers. They also have the right to inspect the source code and retrain the recommendation algorithm specifically for the U.S. market.
The goal? To make sure nobody in Beijing can press a button and change what shows up on your screen.
Shou Zi Chew and the Management Split
Even though the ownership changed, the face of the company hasn't. Shou Zi Chew is still the CEO of TikTok. He’s been the one navigating this political minefield for years, appearing in front of Congress and posting those "Hey TikTok family" videos.
However, the workforce is actually being split up right now.
If you work for TikTok in the U.S. today, you might be working for a new company called TT Commerce & Global Services LLC if you're in marketing or e-commerce. If you’re a developer working on the algorithm or data security, you’re likely now an employee of the USDS Joint Venture.
It’s a messy corporate divorce where the parents are still living in the same house. ByteDance still manages the "money-making" parts—like the TikTok Shop and the ad platform—while the U.S. investors manage the "security" parts.
What This Means for Your Algorithm
This is where things get interesting for the average user. Because the U.S. government demanded that the algorithm be "retrained" on American soil using only American data, your FYP might actually start feeling a little different.
For years, the "magic" of TikTok was its global data pool. It knew you’d like a certain video because someone in London or Tokyo with similar tastes liked it. By cordoning off U.S. data, there’s a real risk the app could lose some of its legendary "mind-reading" ability.
Some critics, like those at the Center for American Progress, are still skeptical. They argue that as long as ByteDance owns 19.9% and their investors own another 30%, the influence hasn't really left. But for now, the legal battle is mostly over. The U.S. government got its "majority American" board of directors, and TikTok got to keep its 170 million users.
Is TikTok Still "Chinese Owned"?
Technically? No, not the U.S. version.
Legally, who owns TikTok now in the U.S. is a consortium led by American firms. But globally, the answer is still ByteDance. If you’re using the app in Brazil, Germany, or Indonesia, you’re still using the 100% ByteDance-owned version.
The valuation of this deal was reportedly around $14 billion—a number that some analysts think is ridiculously low for such a massive platform. But when you’re facing a total ban, you don't exactly have the leverage to demand top dollar.
Actionable Insights for Users and Creators
If you’re a creator or a business relying on TikTok in 2026, here is what you need to keep in mind:
- Diversify Your Platforms: The ownership is settled for now, but the "U.S.-only" algorithm is an experiment. If your engagement drops, it might be because the new "American-trained" AI is still learning. Keep your YouTube Shorts and Reels active.
- Watch the Commerce Shift: Since ByteDance still controls the e-commerce side (TT Commerce LLC), expect TikTok Shop to become even more aggressive. They need to prove the app is worth more than that $14 billion valuation.
- Privacy Settings: Your data is now in Oracle’s hands. Check your privacy settings to see if the new "USDS" terms of service require you to opt-in to new data-sharing agreements.
The "TikTok War" might be over, but the era of the "Siloed Internet" is just beginning. We now have an American TikTok and a Global TikTok, and only time will tell if the magic survives the split.
To stay ahead, make sure you've updated your app to the latest version to ensure you're on the new secure servers, and keep a close eye on your analytics over the next three months to see how the algorithm shift affects your specific niche.