Who Owns TikTok? Inside the ByteDance Ownership Battle That Changed Tech

The Most Complicated Brand Ownership Story in Tech

No brand ownership story in recent history has been as dramatic, political, or consequential as TikTok's. What started as a Chinese short-video app became the subject of Supreme Court rulings, presidential executive orders, congressional legislation, and a multi-billion-dollar corporate restructuring that is still unfolding.

On January 22, 2026, TikTok officially signed an agreement to divest 45% of its US operations into a new joint venture called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. The deal fundamentally changes who controls one of the world's most influential social media platforms. Here is the full ownership story.

The Current Ownership Structure (January 2026)

Before the Deal

ByteDance Ltd. (China) owned 100% of TikTok globally. ByteDance was founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming and is one of the world's most valuable private companies, valued at approximately $220-300 billion.

• Founder Zhang Yiming: Significant stake (stepped down as CEO in 2021)
• Global institutional investors: Sequoia Capital, KKR, SoftBank, General Atlantic, Susquehanna International Group, and others
• Employee stock options: Significant allocation

The New US Structure

Under the January 2026 deal, TikTok's US operations are being restructured into TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC with the following ownership:

The new entity will have a seven-member board of directors, with ByteDance appointing only one member. Oracle will host TikTok's US data on its cloud infrastructure. The deal is structured to address the national security concerns that triggered the entire process.

The Timeline: How We Got Here

2017-2019: TikTok Goes Global

ByteDance launched TikTok internationally in 2017 and acquired Musical.ly (a competing US short-video app) in 2018 for approximately $1 billion, merging it into TikTok. By 2019, TikTok had become the fastest-growing social media app in history.

2020: Trump's First Ban Attempt

President Trump issued executive orders in August 2020 attempting to ban TikTok and force a sale to a US company. Microsoft, Oracle, and Walmart all explored bids. The orders were blocked in court, and the effort stalled.

2024: The Divest-or-Ban Law

In April 2024, Congress passed and President Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The law gave ByteDance until January 19, 2025, to divest its controlling interest in TikTok's US operations or face a nationwide ban.

January 2025: Supreme Court Upholds the Law

On January 17, 2025, the US Supreme Court unanimously upheld the divest-or-ban law, ruling that the national security interest in preventing a foreign adversary from controlling a major US communications platform outweighed First Amendment concerns. TikTok briefly went dark on January 19, 2025, before President Trump (back in office) signed executive orders extending the deadline.

2025: Negotiations and Extensions

Trump extended the divestiture deadline multiple times throughout 2025 as ByteDance negotiated with potential US partners. The Trump administration reached a framework deal with China in September 2025, and in December 2025, ByteDance and TikTok signed binding agreements with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX.

January 22, 2026: Deal Signed

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew confirmed in a staff memo that the binding agreements had been signed, with the deal structured to close as quickly as possible. ByteDance will reduce its ownership of TikTok US to less than 20%.

What the Deal Means

For Users

TikTok continues operating normally in the US. The app, its content, and its features remain unchanged. The deal primarily affects corporate ownership and data handling, not the user experience.

For National Security

• US data will be hosted on Oracle's cloud infrastructure
• Algorithm access will be restricted through technical controls
• Board control will be held by US-based investors
• ByteDance retains limited ownership and minimal governance power

For the Tech Industry

The TikTok case sets a precedent for how the US government treats foreign-owned technology platforms. Other Chinese-owned apps and services could face similar scrutiny. The deal also validates Oracle's cloud computing strategy and Silver Lake's tech investment approach.

For Competitors

Meta (Instagram Reels) and Alphabet (YouTube Shorts) had hoped a TikTok ban would redirect users to their platforms. The deal's completion means TikTok remains a formidable competitor in short-form video.

TikTok by the Numbers

ByteDance's Other Brands

TikTok is ByteDance's most famous product, but the company also owns:

• Douyin: The Chinese version of TikTok (separate app, ~750M monthly users)
• Toutiao: Chinese news aggregation app
• CapCut: Video editing app (used globally)
• Lemon8: Lifestyle social media app
• Pico: VR headset brand
• Various gaming studios

The US deal applies only to TikTok's US operations. ByteDance retains full control of Douyin, Toutiao, and its other global businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TikTok still owned by China?

The new joint venture structure reduces ByteDance's stake in TikTok's US operations to less than 20%, with majority control shifting to US-based investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. ByteDance (a Chinese company) retains full ownership of TikTok's operations outside the US.

Will TikTok be banned in the US?

As of January 2026, TikTok has signed a deal that satisfies the divest-or-ban law's requirements. If the deal closes successfully, TikTok will not be banned. However, the deal must still clear regulatory approvals and implementation milestones.

Does Oracle own TikTok now?

Oracle is a managing investor in the new TikTok US joint venture, not the sole owner. Oracle will host TikTok's US data and serve as the technology partner, but ownership is shared among Oracle, Silver Lake, MGX, remaining ByteDance interests, and other investors.

Can I still use TikTok?

Yes. TikTok continues operating normally in the US throughout the ownership transition. The deal affects corporate structure and data handling, not the user experience or content.

The Bottom Line

TikTok's ownership saga is the most significant brand ownership battle in tech history. A Chinese-founded app used by 170 million Americans has been restructured under US investor control through a combination of legislation, Supreme Court rulings, presidential action, and multi-billion-dollar dealmaking. The outcome will shape how governments worldwide approach foreign ownership of major technology platforms.

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Sources

1. Supreme Court. "TikTok Inc. v. Garland." January 17, 2025. 2. Reuters. "ByteDance Signs TikTok US Joint Venture Deal." December 2025. 3. Variety. "TikTok US Joint Venture Deal Set to Close." January 2026. 4. Bloomberg. "TikTok US Venture Deal: Ownership Structure." January 2026.

All brand ownership data verified through WhoBrands.com's research methodology. Last updated: January 22, 2026.