Today, Explained TikTok’s new owners
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Sep 23, 2025 
Amrith Ramkumar, a tech policy reporter for The Wall Street Journal, discusses the implications of a proposed TikTok deal, highlighting national security concerns and the pivotal role of Oracle. Benjamin Smith, co-founder of Semaphore, delves into the Ellison family's media acquisitions, warning about the risks of media consolidation and political influence. Together, they explore whether Larry Ellison’s ties to Trump could affect TikTok's algorithm and the future of news organizations amid shifting standards.
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Algorithm Lease Creates A U.S. Variant
- The plan copies TikTok's global algorithm and leases it to the new U.S. entity, creating a U.S.-specific algorithm run for American users.
- Oracle's cloud and the lease arrangement are presented as the technical firewall against Chinese interference.
Algorithm Remains The Central Concern
- Washington remains skeptical that a leased algorithm and cloud protections fully prevent Chinese influence.
- The algorithm question remains central because it shapes what 170 million Americans see and believe.
Ownership Split Intends To Meet Law
- The preliminary framework would let U.S. investors own roughly half of the new U.S. TikTok entity, with ByteDance-linked investors holding about 30 percent.
- Dropping ByteDance below 20 percent meets the legal demarcation required by U.S. law.