TikTok US Divestiture and New Joint Venture

Developing StoryLast updated JUN 5
SUMMARY

TikTok's U.S. operations were finalized into a new joint venture, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, on June 4, 2026, to avoid a ban, with American and global investors holding an 80.1% stake and Oracle as the trusted security partner. As of early June 2026, the U.S. has not extended the divestiture deadline, and discussions are anticipated to continue regarding national security concerns over potential Chinese government access to user data. The deal, valued at approximately $14 billion, shifts control over the algorithm's security and content moderation for U.S. users to the new joint venture, while ByteDance retains a 19.9% ownership. This follows a U.S. federal court upholding legislation compelling ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations or face a ban by January 19, 2025.

Timeline

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Timeline of developments

June 2026 2 developments

  1. The US has not extended the TikTok divestiture deadline as of early June 2026, with discussions anticipated to continue.

    The US has not extended the TikTok divestiture deadline as of early June 2026, with discussions anticipated to continue. This follows a January 2026 deal that established a new US joint venture with majority American ownership to comply with a law effective January 2025. National security concerns regarding potential Chinese government access to US user data remain the central issue, which TikTok denies.

  2. TikTok's U.

    TikTok's U.S. operations have been finalized into a new joint venture, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, as of June 4, 2026, to avoid a ban. American and global investors hold an 80.1% stake, with Oracle acting as the trusted security partner. ByteDance retains a 19.9% ownership, and control over the algorithm's security and content moderation for U.S. users has shifted to the new joint venture.

May 2026 1 developments

  1. A deal has been reached for ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.

    A deal has been reached for ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations to a joint venture controlled by American investors, with the transaction set to close on January 22, 2026. Significant investors include Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, each holding a 15% stake, while ByteDance will retain a 19.9% ownership. This development contradicts previous ByteDance statements denying sale plans and exploring a separate U.S. app, and follows multiple deadline extensions for the divestiture.

April 2026 3 developments

  1. A US federal court has upheld legislation compelling ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations or face a ban, reiterating the January 19, 2025 deadline.

    A US federal court has upheld legislation compelling ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations or face a ban, reiterating the January 19, 2025 deadline. The court's decision comes amid ongoing legal battles and multiple extensions, with the latest set to expire in mid-September 2025. TikTok has vowed to contest the law, with CEO Shou Zi Chew expressing confidence in their legal standing.

  2. The U.S. Senate has passed a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok within nine months or face a ba…

    The U.S. Senate has passed a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok within nine months or face a ban in the United States. President Biden plans to sign the legislation, which is part of a larger foreign aid package and prohibits ByteDance from controlling the platform's algorithm. TikTok has stated the bill would "trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans" and is expected to seek an injunction.

  3. Retail investors of Alphabet and Meta Platforms have filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn President Trump's approval of a joint venture for TikTok's US assets.

    Retail investors of Alphabet and Meta Platforms have filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn President Trump's approval of a joint venture for TikTok's US assets. The plaintiffs allege the deal violates a 2024 divestiture law, claiming ByteDance would retain control and potentially enable Chinese propaganda and censorship.

March 2026 2 developments

  1. The U.S. government is set to receive approximately $10 billion in fees from investors who acquired …

    The U.S. government is set to receive approximately $10 billion in fees from investors who acquired TikTok's American operations from ByteDance. This transaction, finalized in January 2026, was driven by national security concerns to prevent a U.S. ban on the app. The newly formed U.S. entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, is majority-owned by American investors.

  2. A lawsuit was filed on March 5-6, 2026, challenging the Trump administration's approval of TikTok's …

    A lawsuit was filed on March 5-6, 2026, challenging the Trump administration's approval of TikTok's sale, alleging that ByteDance retains control of the app's recommendation algorithm and key functions. The suit claims this arrangement undermines the intent of the 2024 law requiring divestiture to avoid a US ban. Plaintiffs argue the deal violates the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

January 2026 15 developments

  1. Senator Edward J.

    Senator Edward J. Markey has expressed concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the TikTok deal and is calling for a congressional investigation to ensure the agreement protects national security and keeps TikTok online.

  2. The White House and Chinese government have officially approved the deal for TikTok's US operations …

    The White House and Chinese government have officially approved the deal for TikTok's US operations to be divested to a new, majority American-owned joint venture, thereby avoiding a ban. This confirmation solidifies the agreement reached between Washington and Beijing.

  3. A new detail emerged indicating that the US-led consortium acquiring TikTok's US operations includes UAE-based AI firm MGX, alongside Oracle and Silver Lake.

    A new detail emerged indicating that the US-led consortium acquiring TikTok's US operations includes UAE-based AI firm MGX, alongside Oracle and Silver Lake. This firm was not previously specified as part of the consortium.

  4. The deal reportedly grants Oracle and a US consortium 80% control of the new American entity, which will manage US user data and algorithms.

    The deal reportedly grants Oracle and a US consortium 80% control of the new American entity, which will manage US user data and algorithms. ByteDance is expected to remain the largest single shareholder with just under 20%.

  5. House China Committee Chair John Moolenaar has raised two key questions for TikTok's new American owners as the sale of the app's U.

    House China Committee Chair John Moolenaar has raised two key questions for TikTok's new American owners as the sale of the app's U.S. operations is set to close. Moolenaar's concerns focus on ensuring the algorithm is not influenced by the Chinese Communist Party and securing American user data.

  6. The US and China have reportedly approved a deal to sell TikTok's US business to a consortium of mostly US investors, including Oracle and Silverlake.

    The US and China have reportedly approved a deal to sell TikTok's US business to a consortium of mostly US investors, including Oracle and Silverlake. The deal is expected to close this week, meeting the January 22 deadline.

  7. As the January 23rd deadline approaches, no official statement from TikTok or ByteDance has confirmed the divestiture deal.

    As the January 23rd deadline approaches, no official statement from TikTok or ByteDance has confirmed the divestiture deal. Separately, it has been reported that the US-based joint venture now holds a 50% stake in TikTok's American operations.

  8. Specific American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, have been identified for the ne…

    Specific American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, have been identified for the new TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, with Oracle taking a central role in data security and algorithm oversight. TikTok is reportedly reorganizing its US workforce into two entities, with some employees joining the joint venture and others remaining with a ByteDance-owned entity, and the joint venture plans to retrain its recommendation algorithm.

December 2025 1 developments

September 2025 1 developments

January 2025 3 developments

  1. TikTok has been under a de jure nationwide ban in the United States since January 19, 2025, due to c…

    TikTok has been under a de jure nationwide ban in the United States since January 19, 2025, due to concerns over user data and Chinese government influence, though the ban has yet to be enforced. This ban took effect after ByteDance refused to sell the service.

April 2024 2 developments

  1. ByteDance has announced that it has no plans to sell TikTok, despite a new US law mandating divestiture or a ban.

    ByteDance has announced that it has no plans to sell TikTok, despite a new US law mandating divestiture or a ban. This statement contradicts previous reports detailing a divestiture deal and the formation of a new US joint venture. US lawmakers have cited national security concerns, alleging potential espionage and propaganda use by the Chinese government, claims which ByteDance denies.

  2. President Biden signs the 'Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act' into law, requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.

    President Biden signs the 'Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act' into law, requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations within 270 days (by January 19, 2025) or face an effective ban.

March 2024 2 developments

  1. Senator Ed Markey has formally requested that TikTok's U.

    Senator Ed Markey has formally requested that TikTok's U.S. joint venture and Oracle provide details on how they are safeguarding American users' personal data and preventing foreign influence over content. This inquiry follows the finalization of a deal in early 2026 where ByteDance transferred U.S. user data and operations to the joint venture, TikTok USDS, to avoid a U.S. ban.

  2. ByteDance has signed binding agreements to establish a new U.

    ByteDance has signed binding agreements to establish a new U.S. joint venture to operate TikTok, fulfilling a commitment made with the Trump administration. This move satisfies a 2024 bipartisan law aimed at addressing national security concerns related to the app's Chinese ownership. The agreement ensures the U.S. version of TikTok will be majority-owned by American investors, following legislative and judicial actions that mandated ByteDance to sell or face a ban.

June 2021 1 developments

August 2020 2 developments