Microsoft and Oracle are in talks to buy TikTok’s global operations. The deal aims to tackle U.S. national security concerns by lessening Chinese control over the popular social media platform. ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, will keep a minority stake while Oracle will handle algorithm management, data collection, and software updates.
The White House is involved in the negotiations, balancing global business operations and geopolitical concerns. Oracle already provides much of TikTok’s server infrastructure, making it a natural choice to manage the app’s data and algorithms.
Microsoft’s exact role in the deal is still unclear, but its involvement is a significant development. The tech giant had shown interest in buying TikTok and was part of a joint bid with Oracle and Walmart in 2020.
The proposed deal aims to minimize ByteDance’s influence while allowing TikTok to operate without disruption to its global user base. The agreement could reshape tech security and influence the role of Chinese tech firms in the U.S.