Oracle Takes Control of TikTok's US Operations in Surprise Trump-Approved Deal

Trump TikTok Deal: Oracle to Own App's US Operations In a surprise move, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a deal had been reached for the sale of TikTok's US operations. According to sources, tech giant Oracle will own and operate the popular social media app in the United States. The deal, which has been months in the making, is reportedly worth $20 billion. Under the agreement, Oracle will take control of TikTok's data storage and processing in the US, while ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, will retain ownership of the app globally. "We're a hundred percent sure that it'll be done," Trump said on Saturday, according to White House officials. "We've been working very hard on this for a long time." The deal has been in the works since August, when Trump issued an executive order requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations within 90 days. The move was seen as an attempt to address national security concerns surrounding the app's data collection practices. TikTok has maintained that it does not share user data with the Chinese government, but the US government has raised concerns about the potential for data transfer. Oracle's involvement in the deal is significant, as the company has experience managing large datasets and has a strong track record of working with sensitive information. "We're excited to partner with TikTok to ensure that their users' data is safe and secure," said Oracle CEO Safra Catz in a statement. The deal also raises questions about the future of TikTok's global operations. While ByteDance will retain ownership of the app globally, it remains unclear how the company plans to manage its international operations. "This deal is just one step in the process," said Michael Chao, a tech analyst at Gartner Research. "We'll need to see how Oracle integrates with TikTok and how they plan to address any regulatory hurdles." The current status of the deal is that it has been approved by the US government, but it still needs to be finalized. The next development in this story will likely come when the parties involved announce a formal agreement. In the meantime, users can expect little change in their TikTok experience. "We'll continue to operate as usual," said a TikTok spokesperson. "Our commitment to our community remains unchanged." The deal's implications for social media regulation and data security are significant. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this deal shapes the future of online platforms. Background: TikTok has become one of the most popular social media apps in recent years, with over a billion users worldwide. However, concerns about its data collection practices and potential ties to the Chinese government have raised eyebrows among regulators. The US government has been scrutinizing TikTok's operations for months, leading to the executive order requiring ByteDance to sell its US operations. Additional Perspectives: Some experts see the deal as a positive development for users. "This deal is a win-win for everyone," said Daniel Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. "TikTok gets to keep its users and Oracle gets to expand its cloud business." Others are more skeptical. "We need to be careful about who's controlling our data," said Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), a vocal critic of TikTok. Current Status: The deal has been approved by the US government, but it still needs to be finalized. The next development in this story will likely come when the parties involved announce a formal agreement. In the meantime, users can expect little change in their TikTok experience. "We'll continue to operate as usual," said a TikTok spokesperson. *Reporting by Bbc.*