TikTok announced a new joint venture called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, a $14 billion entity structured to keep the app operating in the United States. Americans will hold majority ownership, with ByteDance retaining a 19.9 percent stake. Key investors like Silver Lake, Oracle, and MGX each own 15 percent, and a seven-member board will be controlled by U.S. interests.

The deal aims to satisfy the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which demanded a qualified divestiture. However, ByteDance will still own the core algorithm and manage global product interoperability, including e-commerce and advertising. Critics argue this leaves an operational relationship intact, potentially failing the law's strict requirement to sever all ties between ByteDance and TikTok's U.S. operations.

President Trump has claimed the agreement is a win, but lawmakers from both parties are skeptical. Senators like Edward Markey and Representatives like John Moolenaar have demanded more transparency, questioning whether the algorithm is truly free from Chinese influence. The new venture's leadership, including CEO Adam Presser, will now navigate intense scrutiny over data security and foreign control as the platform continues to serve U.S. users.