TikTok US Ownership Change Expected to Reshape Content Control

TikTok is undergoing a significant ownership restructuring aimed at separating its U.S. operations from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, amid concerns about content control and national security. The deal, supported by President Donald Trump, involves major U.S. investors such as Oracle's Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, Silver Lake, and Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch's Fox Corp, who would gain majority ownership while ByteDance retains a minority stake. This new ownership structure would lease and recreate TikTok's algorithm domestically, with content moderation and recommendation systems placed under U.S. control, a move intended to address U.S. political and security concerns. However, the deal's specifics remain unclear, raising questions about compliance with U.S. law, the security of the algorithm licensing, and the overall transparency of the arrangement. Creators and influencers reliant on TikTok worry about potential changes in content moderation and algorithmic visibility that could lead to censorship or political bias, echoing concerns from previous social media ownership transitions. The restructuring also reflects broader geopolitical tensions, with TikTok's influence highlighting the intersection of technology, politics, and global soft power.