TikTok agrees to sell US unit to American-led investor group: report

Core Points - TikTok has signed a deal to sell its U.S. operations to an American-led investor group, ending a prolonged political and legal battle regarding national security concerns [1][5] - The transaction is set to close on January 22, 2026, with Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX collectively owning 45% of TikTok's U.S. operations [2] - ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, will retain less than 20% ownership, while existing shareholders and global firms will account for the remainder, with ByteDance investors holding a 35% stake [8] Regulatory Context - The deal follows the enactment of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), which mandates that apps like TikTok must be divested from foreign adversarial control to operate in the U.S. [11][12] - The law took effect on January 19, 2025, after surviving a Supreme Court challenge, allowing a 90-day extension for compliance [12] Historical Background - Initially, ByteDance resisted selling TikTok, and President Trump issued multiple extensions delaying the enforcement of the law [13][14] - Trump's administration played a significant role in facilitating the deal, emphasizing the need for cooperation with China for a successful transaction [8]