TikTok has taken a major step toward resolving long-standing regulatory and national security concerns in the United States by signing binding agreements to sell its U.S. operations to a group of American investors. The deal includes prominent firms such as Oracle and private equity giant Silver Lake, according to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. The agreement marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to separate TikTok’s U.S. business from its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

Under the terms of the deal, the U.S. unit of TikTok will operate with increased independence, with ownership and governance largely shifting to American investors. While ByteDance is expected to retain a minority stake, control over data security, operations, and decision-making will be placed firmly in U.S. hands. This structure aims to address repeated concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers and regulators about potential data access by foreign entities.

Oracle, which has already been involved as TikTok’s cloud infrastructure and data security partner, is set to play a key role in safeguarding U.S. user data. The company will continue hosting TikTok’s American user data on its servers, ensuring that sensitive information remains within the United States. Silver Lake’s involvement adds further credibility, given its experience in managing large-scale technology investments and governance structures.

CEO Shou Zi Chew stated that both ByteDance and TikTok have entered into binding agreements with the investors, signaling a firm commitment rather than a tentative proposal. He emphasized that the deal is designed to protect user privacy, strengthen transparency, and ensure compliance with U.S. laws, while allowing TikTok to continue serving its millions of American users without disruption.

The agreement could potentially end years of political uncertainty for TikTok in the U.S., where the app has faced threats of bans, forced divestment, and strict regulatory scrutiny. Previous administrations raised alarms about national security risks, citing fears that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government—claims that TikTok has consistently denied.

For TikTok creators, advertisers, and users, the deal brings a sense of stability. The platform remains one of the most influential social media apps in the U.S., driving trends, digital commerce, and creator economies. A clear ownership structure may encourage brands and partners to invest more confidently in the platform.

While regulatory approvals are still required, the signing of binding agreements suggests momentum toward a final resolution. If completed, the transaction would set a precedent for how global tech companies navigate geopolitical tensions while maintaining access to key markets. TikTok’s U.S. deal could become a model for balancing national security concerns with the realities of a globally connected digital economy.