Significant TikTok Deal: U.S. Control Over Algorithm and Board Majority

Tue Sep 23 2025 09:04:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The White House indicates a major TikTok deal with China ensures U.S. control of the app's algorithm and a majority of board seats, crucial amidst tensions regarding data security.

In an emerging deal between the U.S. and China regarding TikTok, U.S. companies are set to control the algorithm behind the app’s video feed, with Americans holding six of the seven board seats for U.S. operations. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that tech firm Oracle will ensure data security, as President Trump seeks a resolution to the ongoing tensions surrounding the app's operation in America. This agreement aims to alleviate concerns regarding Chinese parent company ByteDance’s influence and follow legislative movements that have threatened a TikTok ban.

In a significant development, the White House announced that a forthcoming agreement with China over TikTok will ensure that U.S. companies maintain control over the algorithm that drives the app’s video recommendations. With this deal, Americans would also occupy six out of seven board positions overseeing TikTok's American operations, a move that seeks to address ongoing cybersecurity concerns associated with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed the details as President Trump continues efforts to finalize the agreement following previous executive actions aimed at confronting the potential risks posed by Chinese ownership of the popular social media platform. We are 100% confident that a deal is done, now that deal just needs to be signed and the president’s team is working with their Chinese counterparts to do just that, Leavitt stated.

This agreement comes in the wake of Congressional actions that have prescribed a timeline for a potential TikTok ban, echoing the bipartisan concern over data privacy and control issues related to foreign tech firms operating within U.S. borders. As President Trump prepares to conclude these negotiations, he emphasized that American investors are eager about the prospects of the deal, noting that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been cooperative throughout the discussions.

Leavitt further reassured that not only would the board structure reflect American interests, but also the algorithm behind TikTok’s functionalities would be under U.S. control, potentially alleviating fears of Chinese interference. It’s all being worked out, Trump claimed, expressing optimism over the resolution of these critical discussions. With the agreement anticipated to be finalized soon, officials are hopeful for an operational clarity that aligns with U.S. interests while maintaining TikTok's accessibility state-side.