White House, Oracle in advanced talks over TikTok U.S. operations. ByteDance role in TikTok deal raises national security concerns

The Trump administration is in advanced talks with Oracle to take over TikTok’s U.S. operations, aiming to sever the app’s ties to its Chinese parent, ByteDance. Vice President JD Vance and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are leading the negotiations, pushing for a deal that would place Oracle in control of American user data. But a major question remains—will ByteDance still have influence over the app’s operations?

White House officials are weighing whether Oracle’s oversight is enough to satisfy national security concerns or if deeper structural changes are needed. The clock is ticking, with an April 5 deadline set by President Trump, demanding TikTok’s Chinese ownership be severed or face an outright ban. While Oracle is the leading bidder, others, including Perplexity AI and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations.

Project Texas 2.0, the broader effort to relocate American user data to U.S. servers and block access from China, is at the heart of this deal. Yet, critics warn that without full divestment, ByteDance’s control over TikTok’s algorithm remains a loophole. Lawmakers remain unconvinced that security risks can be fully eliminated unless ByteDance is completely cut out. The outcome of these negotiations will not only determine TikTok’s future in the U.S. but could also set the stage for a new era of social media regulation and U.S.-China tech tensions.

Sources:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/16/white-house-oracle-tiktok-00232302

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-considering-deal-from-oracle-to-run-tiktok-in-us-what-we-know-7940854

https://www.ibtimes.com/oracle-emerges-key-player-potential-deal-keep-tiktok-operational-us-3766560

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/is-oracle-set-to-take-over-tiktoks-u-s-operations-ahead-of-april-5-ban-heres-what-trump-government-is-planning/articleshow/119120206.cms