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Oracle and TikTok: A Pending Deal
According to multiple sources, Oracle is considering acquiring a minor stake in a new U.S.-based TikTok entity while ensuring data security. The aim is to address Washington’s concerns about potential Chinese surveillance risks.
A similar initiative, known as Project Texas, was launched in 2023. This project involved TikTok collaborating with Oracle to store American users’ data on local servers. Yet, this did not alleviate the concerns of authorities, who subsequently passed a law in January 2024 requiring ByteDance to either sell TikTok or exit the United States.
However, it appears that this new proposal still does not meet the requirements of this law.
Potential Roadblocks to the Agreement
U.S. legislation imposes clear restrictions on ownership and control of apps owned by foreign companies. For an agreement to be approved, ByteDance must not own more than 20% of TikTok in the U.S., cannot exercise any control over its operations, and must not have access to the recommendation algorithm or to the data of American users. Yet, according to available information, ByteDance would still maintain control over the algorithm, which is a significant issue. Additionally, Beijing has already expressed its refusal to sell this technology to an American company. Even if Oracle and TikTok find common ground, convincing the governments of both countries remains a daunting challenge.
Economic and Political Stakes
TikTok boasts over 170 million users in the United States and generates substantial revenue from advertising and content creators. The economic impact is too significant for Washington to overlook.
Several potential buyers have shown interest, including Microsoft and billionaire Frank McCourt. However, there is still uncertainty over the feasibility of such a purchase.
Donald Trump, who extended the initial deadline from January 19, 2025, has set a new deadline of April 5 to find a solution. He hinted that another extension might be possible.
If no agreement complies with U.S. law, TikTok could simply vanish from the American market. Can Oracle truly save the app? It’s uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the battle is far from over.