What would the Founding Fathers think of TikTok? - Harvard Gazette

"By placing 80 percent of its U.S. assets under the control of non-Chinese investors, the joint venture aims to avoid an outright ban. The new investors include the technology company Oracle, the private equity company Silver Lake, and the Emirati investment firm MGX. ByteDance retains a stake of just under 20 percent and will license its algorithm to the new entity."

"TikTok has been banned, un-banned, semi-banned, and brought back. As the U.S. government considers its relationship with China, and the national security risks of adopting its technology, the video app often serves as a proxy. Boosters and critics agree that its discovery algorithm is one of the best in the world. Whether that's cause for praise or anxiety is debated."

TikTok has cycled through bans and reinstatements as U.S. officials evaluate risks tied to China and platform technology. More than a year and a half after a bill required a U.S. sale for continued app-store availability, ByteDance formed a joint venture placing 80 percent of U.S. assets under non-Chinese control. Oracle, Silver Lake and Emirati firm MGX are investors; ByteDance retains just under 20 percent and will license its algorithm. The incoming administration signed executive orders delaying the ban while hopes for a political resolution continued. Remaining issues include protection of U.S. user data and the government's influence over free speech on social platforms.

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