TikTok Establishes American Entity with Misinformation Counter-Measures Framework

The widely popular video-sharing platform TikTok has finalized an ownership restructuring that establishes a majority American-owned entity with enhanced counter-measures against misinformation and disinformation. The announcement Thursday emphasizes information integrity alongside security protections.
ByteDance, the Chinese technology conglomerate that created TikTok, has agreed to reduce its ownership stake to 19.9% in the American entity, while US investors assume controlling interest with 80.1%. Oracle, Silver Lake, MGX, and Michael Dell’s firm create ownership supporting robust information integrity programs.
This resolution addresses concerns extending beyond data security to information integrity—preventing the platform from becoming a vector for misinformation campaigns, disinformation operations, or coordinated inauthentic behavior. American ownership enables implementing American standards for information integrity and partnering with American fact-checking organizations, academic researchers, and government agencies to counter information threats.
Leadership of the American entity will be entrusted to Adam Presser as CEO, whose trust and safety background specifically includes countering misinformation and coordinated inauthentic behavior. His experience developing information integrity measures positions him to enhance protections. The seven-member board provides oversight ensuring information integrity receives priority. Shou Chew participates within this framework.
The new US entity implements enhanced misinformation counter-measures: partnerships with American fact-checking organizations, labels on disputed content, reduced distribution for misinformation, removal of coordinated inauthentic behavior, transparency about content moderation decisions, and collaboration with researchers studying information operations. These measures protect information integrity while respecting legitimate speech. The recommendation algorithm undergoes training ensuring it doesn’t amplify misinformation—US-data training includes signals about content credibility. Enhanced content moderation specifically targets information integrity threats. Both governments approved this information integrity-focused approach.