Key Opinion
D. Rutledge
Guest Columnist
news@lbknews.com
In September 2025, Oracle, alongside partners Silver Lake and Andreessen Horowitz, secured an 80% controlling stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations, with the deal poised to finalize soon. Backed by both the Trump administration and Chinese authorities, this acquisition grants Americans majority control over TikTok’s algorithm, data, and board (six of seven seats), while ByteDance retains a minority share. Far from a mere corporate maneuver, this move tackles U.S. concerns about data security and foreign influence while leveraging Oracle’s enterprise expertise to elevate TikTok’s potential. This deal is more than a reprieve from a potential TikTok ban—it’s a strategic victory for users, businesses, and the tech ecosystem, although some feel the deal still leaves national security loopholes.
By channeling all U.S. user data through Oracle’s secure cloud infrastructure, the acquisition severely eliminates risks of sensitive information reaching China-based servers. Oracle’s proven track record in enterprise-grade security—powering everything from financial systems to government operations—ensures robust protection for TikTok’s 170 million American users against cyber threats and espionage.
TikTok is no longer just a social media app—it’s a streaming powerhouse, with users consuming over 1 billion hours of video daily, increasingly through longer formats and live sessions. Oracle’s involvement could redefine the streaming industry in several ways. The acquisition expands cloud services to handle explosive growth in video consumption (over 1 billion hours daily). For viewers, this translates to faster load times, fewer buffering issues during live sessions, and reliable access even on mobile devices.
Fueling an Algorithmic Arms Race
With U.S. control over TikTok’s recommendation engine, Oracle could open-source or license parts of it, pushing competitors like Meta’s Reels and YouTube Shorts to accelerate innovation. This democratization of advanced personalization tools enables smaller streaming platforms to compete, fostering niche content in areas like education, fitness, and independent film, and challenging the dominance of legacy giants.
Bridging Short- and Long-Form Streaming
Oracle’s cloud capabilities pave the way for hybrid streaming models, such as embedding TikTok clips into Netflix-style marathons or Twitch live streams. Imagine a 15-second viral teaser seamlessly linking to full episodes on partner platforms, enhancing discoverability and viewer retention. Analysts predict a 20-30% increase in cross-platform engagement as Oracle’s secure, low-latency streaming technology sets new industry standards.
If you’re an innovation chaser, yeah, get a little excited: This locks in TikTok’s future with U.S. safeguards. But, it may look like a billionaire’s info-lockdown, with censorship red flags waving high. With Ellison’s media empire (CBS, Paramount, MTV, Nickelodeon) expanding to TikTok—and potential Fox/Murdoch ties—the app could tilt toward more conservative narratives, swapping one overlord for another. Pre-sale, TikTok was accused of left-leaning suppression of conservative voices, and they were not alone. Platforms now openly acknowledge yielding to Biden-Era /DOJ demands on “misinformation,” including the Hunter Biden laptop story and anti-vax memes. Meta echoed this, confirming thousands of removals on election/vaccine topics.
Public sentiment appears mostly in favor of the deal. Support for banning the app has plummeted to about one-third of Americans (32-33%), down from 50% in early 2023, meaning a clear majority (roughly 67%) oppose a ban and will likely welcome a U.S.-controlled alternative that keeps the platform alive. TikTok, with its 170 million U.S. users and over 1 billion global users has become a cultural juggernaut, captivating audiences with its unique blend of addictive features. If you’re a user, test the new app and see—sentiment could shift fast.
