US to Control TikTok’s Algorithm, White House Says

The US will take control of TikTok’s powerful algorithm under a pending agreement to shift the social media platform’s US operations to American ownership, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The move would give US officials oversight of the system that determines what content appears in users’ feeds—a key feature behind TikTok’s popularity.

The deal, which Leavitt said is finalized but awaiting signatures, is being coordinated between the president’s team and Chinese counterparts. She added that the agreement is expected to be signed in the coming days.

As part of the arrangement, US tech company Oracle will manage American data and privacy operations for TikTok. A new board overseeing the platform will include seven seats, six of which will be held by US representatives, Leavitt confirmed.

Control over TikTok’s algorithm has been a central issue in negotiations. The feature, often described as the engine of the app’s success, sets TikTok apart from competitors by personalizing content in its “For You” feed.

ByteDance, the platform’s Chinese parent company, had previously resisted selling TikTok with its algorithm attached, complicating early talks.

Major US investors to lead ownership

Leavitt also stated that a consortium of US-based investors, including Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake, will lead the deal. Chinese investors could still hold the remaining 20 percent of the US business.

The breakthrough follows a phone call last week between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which Trump described as productive.

Senior White House officials on TikTok deal:

Trump wants “patriotic” TikTok investors.

US government will hold no equity.

ByteDance to keep <20% of US TikTok.

Algorithm to be retrained in US, reviewed by Oracle.

Deal to close in 120 days. pic.twitter.com/3iQ3lXZVIX

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 22, 2025

He said both sides made meaningful progress toward resolving outstanding issues tied to the transaction.

Congress passed a law in April 2024 banning TikTok unless it transferred at least 80 percent of its US assets to American investors.

The app briefly went offline in the United States on January 18, one day before the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act took effect and two days before Trump returned to office.

Political and trade context behind the deal

The shutdown was postponed after Trump granted four extensions, allowing his administration time to reach a deal.

TikTok has approximately 170 million users in the United States, many of them under 30 years old. According to Pew Research, younger voters showed more support for Trump in the 2024 election than in previous years.

Talks between Washington and Beijing had stalled earlier this year following a wave of tariffs on Chinese goods.

Negotiations resumed after both countries eased trade tensions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two leaders expressed interest in moving forward, though national security remained a sticking point.

Trump and Xi are expected to meet in person at the APEC Summit in South Korea next month.