TikTok US to Store Algorithm Copy Secured by Oracle, Announces White House

On September 22, 2025, the White House confirmed that Oracle will receive and operate a copy of TikTok’s algorithm for U.S. users, marking a pivotal development in the protracted negotiations over the app’s future in the United States. The move comes after months of pressure from U.S. lawmakers and the Trump administration, who have cited national security risks and the potential for Chinese government influence over TikTok’s powerful recommendation engine. The deal is designed to ensure that the U.S. version of TikTok is controlled by American entities and that U.S. user data is protected from foreign access.

Algorithm Control and Security Measures

According to senior White House officials, Oracle will not only store but also retrain the TikTok algorithm using only U.S. data, with the goal of creating a distinct experience for American users. The algorithm, which determines what content appears in users’ feeds, has been at the center of U.S. concerns about manipulation and surveillance. Oracle’s role will include continuous monitoring and security oversight, with the company acting as the primary security partner for the U.S. version of the app. The arrangement also involves a consortium of American investors, including private equity groups and technology firms, who will collectively own and operate TikTok’s U.S. business.

The deal stops short of a full transfer of intellectual property. Instead, ByteDance, TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, will license a duplicate copy of the algorithm to the U.S. consortium. This approach was chosen because Chinese law prohibits the outright sale or export of sensitive technology, including TikTok’s recommendation software. The algorithm will be “retrained from the ground up” on U.S. data, according to White House statements, but ByteDance will retain ownership of the underlying intellectual property and collect licensing fees from the American entity.

Legal, Political, and International Implications

The White House has framed the agreement as a solution to national security and data privacy concerns, but questions remain about the effectiveness and enforceability of the arrangement. While Oracle will oversee data storage and algorithmic operations, ByteDance will continue to own the intellectual property and maintain a presence in the U.S. business through its subsidiary. Reports indicate that ByteDance will hold at least one board seat in the U.S. TikTok consortium, raising doubts about the extent of Chinese disengagement from the platform’s American operations.

The deal’s approval follows a period of heightened U.S.-China tensions over technology and trade. In January 2025, President Trump restored TikTok service in the U.S. after a brief ban, promising to keep the app available under stricter American oversight. The arrangement is also a response to bipartisan legislation requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets or face a nationwide ban. However, the licensing model has drawn skepticism from lawmakers who question whether it truly severs Chinese influence and whether the retrained algorithm can be effectively insulated from foreign manipulation.

Ongoing Uncertainties and Public Concerns

Despite the White House’s assurances, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. The arrangement must still satisfy lawmakers who have demanded a complete divestiture and total American control. There are also unresolved questions about how the retrained algorithm will function, whether existing user data will be integrated, and what role, if any, the U.S. government will play in ongoing oversight. Public concerns about TikTok’s impact on youth mental health and data privacy continue to fuel debate, with several states having filed lawsuits against the platform in recent years.

As the deal moves forward, Oracle’s stewardship of TikTok’s U.S. algorithm will be closely watched as a test case for how the U.S. manages foreign technology platforms and navigates the complex intersection of national security, commerce, and digital rights.