Who Owns TikTok?

Curious about who owns TikTok? TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming. With over 1.5 billion users globally, TikTok’s ownership has sparked debates due to ByteDance’s ties to China, raising concerns about data privacy and national security.

This guide explains ByteDance’s role, its leadership, investors, and the ongoing U.S. divestment saga, giving you a clear picture of TikTok’s ownership structure.

TikTok’s massive reach makes its ownership a hot topic, especially as the U.S. pushes for a sale by September 17, 2025, under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA). ByteDance’s complex structure, involving Chinese and global investors, adds layers to the question of who controls TikTok.

Below, we break down the company’s ownership, key players, and what’s at stake in 2025. Let’s get into the details of who owns TikTok and why it matters.

ByteDance: TikTok’s Parent Company

ByteDance, based in Beijing, owns TikTok and its Chinese version, Douyin. Founded by Zhang Yiming, Liang Rubo, and others, ByteDance is a tech giant valued at $225 billion in 2025.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Founding: Launched in 2012, ByteDance started with news app Toutiao before creating Douyin in 2016 and TikTok in 2017.
2. Global Reach: Operates in 150 countries, with TikTok as its flagship app outside China.
3. Revenue: ByteDance earned $120 billion in 2024, with TikTok generating $20 billion globally.
4. Employees: Over 150,000 worldwide, with 7,000 in the U.S. for TikTok’s operations.

ByteDance fully owns TikTok, controlling its algorithm, servers, and strategy. Despite U.S. operations being managed locally, ByteDance’s Beijing headquarters holds ultimate authority.

Key Figures in ByteDance’s Ownership

ByteDance’s leadership and founders shape TikTok’s direction:

1. Zhang Yiming: Founder and former CEO, stepped down in 2021 but remains a major shareholder with a 20% stake. His vision drove TikTok’s global expansion.
2. Liang Rubo: Current ByteDance CEO, overseeing strategic decisions, including U.S. divestment talks.
3. Shou Zi Chew: TikTok’s CEO since 2021, based in Singapore. He manages global operations and reports to ByteDance.

Zhang’s stake and influence make him a central figure, though he avoids public roles due to China’s regulatory scrutiny.

ByteDance’s Ownership Structure

ByteDance’s ownership includes founders, employees, and global investors:

• Founders and Employees: Hold 20% through shares, with Zhang Yiming as the largest individual owner.
• Chinese Investors: Firms like SIG China and state-backed funds own 30%, aligning with Beijing’s tech oversight.
• Global Investors: U.S. firms (General Atlantic, Susquehanna International) and Japan’s SoftBank hold 50%, drawn by ByteDance’s valuation.

Despite foreign investment, ByteDance operates under China’s laws, requiring data sharing with authorities if requested. This fuels U.S. concerns about TikTok’s ownership.

U.S. Divestment Saga

The U.S. has pressured ByteDance to sell TikTok due to national security fears.

Here’s the timeline:

• 2020: Trump’s executive order threatened a TikTok ban, proposing a sale to Oracle or Microsoft. China blocked the deal.
• April 2024: PAFACA, signed by Biden, set a January 19, 2025, deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban.
• January 2025: The Supreme Court upheld PAFACA. TikTok went offline for 14 hours before Trump’s executive order delayed the ban to April 5, 2025.
• April–June 2025: Trump extended deadlines to June 19, then September 17, 2025, to allow sale negotiations.
• Current Status: As of June 26, 2025, TikTok operates in the U.S., with Oracle, Amazon, and others bidding. The algorithm’s sale remains a sticking point.

A ban could remove TikTok from app stores and disrupt services unless a U.S.-based buyer emerges.

Potential Buyers for TikTok

Several groups are vying for TikTok’s U.S. operations:

• Oracle: Partnered with TikTok since 2020 for data storage, led by Trump ally Larry Ellison. Valued TikTok at $20–100 billion.
• Amazon: Entered late, leveraging its cloud infrastructure and e-commerce reach.
• Microsoft: A 2020 bidder, interested again for its tech expertise.
• Consortiums: Groups led by Frank McCourt, Kevin O’Leary, and Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) aim to buy, focusing on user-driven models.

China’s refusal to sell TikTok’s algorithm complicates deals, as it’s central to the app’s success. ByteDance needs Beijing’s approval for any sale.

Why Ownership Matters

TikTok’s ownership affects users and governments:

1. Data Privacy: ByteDance’s Chinese ties raise fears of data sharing with Beijing. TikTok insists U.S. data stays with Oracle.
2. Content Control: Critics claim ByteDance censors content (e.g., Hong Kong protests) to align with China’s policies.
3. Geopolitics: U.S.-China tensions, including Trump’s 34% tariffs, make TikTok a bargaining chip.
4. User Impact: A ban could disrupt creators’ income and force users to platforms like Instagram Reels.

In 2025, TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users await clarity on whether ByteDance will sell or face a ban.

How TikTok Addresses Concerns

ByteDance and TikTok have taken steps to ease fears:

• Project Texas: Stores U.S. data on Oracle servers, with oversight to limit Chinese access.
• Transparency Reports: TikTok publishes data on government requests and content moderation.
• Local Leadership: Shou Zi Chew’s Singapore-based role distances TikTok from Beijing’s direct control.
• Lobbying: ByteDance spent $9 million in 2024 lobbying U.S. lawmakers to avoid a ban.

These efforts haven’t fully resolved concerns, as China’s laws still apply to ByteDance.

FAQ

Who founded TikTok?

Zhang Yiming founded ByteDance in 2012, launching Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese version) in 2016 and TikTok in 2017.

Is TikTok owned by China?

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company. While global investors hold 50%, ByteDance operates under China’s laws.

Will TikTok be sold in 2025?

ByteDance faces a September 17, 2025, deadline to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a ban. Talks with Oracle and others are ongoing.

Why does the U.S. want to ban TikTok?

Concerns over data privacy, national security, and ByteDance’s ties to China drive the push for a sale or ban.

Can I still use TikTok if it’s banned?

You might use VPNs or sideload the app, but functionality could degrade without app store updates.

Conclusion

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese tech giant led by Zhang Yiming and Liang Rubo, with global investors holding significant shares. The U.S. demands a sale by September 17, 2025, due to privacy and security concerns, with Oracle and Amazon as potential buyers.