TikTok Introduces USDS Joint Venture LLC
In a significant development, TikTok has announced the formation of TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. This new entity was established to comply with U.S. regulatory requirements as outlined in an Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. It aims to enhance the experience for over 200 million American users and 7.5 million businesses while ensuring data protection.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture: Key Objectives
The primary objective of TikTok USDS Joint Venture is to secure U.S. user data through comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity measures. This independent entity will feature strict safeguards designed to protect the national security interests of the United States.
- Data Protection: User data will be protected in Oracle’s secure U.S. cloud environment.
- Algorithm Security: The recommendation algorithm will undergo regular updates based on U.S. user data.
- Software Assurance: Ongoing reviews and validations of source code will be conducted under the guidance of Oracle.
- Trust & Safety Policies: The Joint Venture will have the authority to implement content moderation and safety measures.
Governance Structure
The governance of TikTok USDS Joint Venture will be overseen by a seven-member board of directors. This board is composed primarily of American investors and industry leaders:
- Shou Chew: CEO of TikTok
- Timothy Dattels: Senior Advisor at TPG Global
- Mark Dooley: Managing Director at Susquehanna International Group
- Egon Durban: Co-CEO of Silver Lake
- Raul Fernandez: CEO of DXC Technology
- Kenneth Glueck: EVP at Oracle
- David Scott: Chief Strategy and Safety Officer at MGX
The Joint Venture will be led by CEO Adam Presser, who brings experience from TikTok and WarnerMedia. Will Farrell has been appointed as Chief Security Officer, spearheading the data privacy program.
Investor Support
TikTok USDS Joint Venture has secured investment from several key players:
- Silver Lake
- Oracle
- MGX
Each managing investor holds a 15% stake. Additional investments come from various firms including:
- Dell Family Office
- Vastmere Strategic Investments, LLC
- Alpha Wave Partners
- Revolution
- Merritt Way, LLC
- Via Nova
- Virgo LI, Inc.
- NJJ Capital
ByteDance retains a 19.9% interest in the Joint Venture.
Commitment to Safety and Security
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding user data while fostering a thriving content ecosystem. The measures implemented aim to ensure that American users can continue to connect, create, and explore within a safe environment.