Washington. Oracle Corp., the American software giant best known for its database technology and cloud services, will receive a copy of TikTok's algorithm to operate the platform for US users, a senior Trump administration official said Monday.

The decision addresses one of the thorniest issues in negotiations over the future of TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance. US officials have long argued that TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm could be exploited by Chinese authorities to shape what American users see, raising national security concerns.

The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the emerging agreement, said Oracle’s involvement is designed to mitigate those risks. The company, founded by billionaire Larry Ellison, is expected to oversee TikTok’s data and security in the US, ensuring the app complies with American regulations.

Oracle, headquartered in Austin, Texas, has been repositioning itself as a major cloud-computing competitor to Amazon and Microsoft. Its deep ties to US government agencies, many of which use Oracle software, make it an attractive partner for Washington in handling sensitive data.

Full details on the investor group backing the deal have not been disclosed, though the official confirmed private equity firm Silver Lake is participating. President Donald Trump has also suggested that prominent billionaires, including Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, and Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell, could be part of the consortium.

On Saturday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Americans would hold six of the seven seats on TikTok’s planned US board, with Oracle taking responsibility for safeguarding user information.

Trump, who has repeatedly extended deadlines for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US operations, discussed the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone call on Friday. Both governments now face a Dec. 16 deadline to finalize the agreement.

TikTok, one of the world’s most popular apps, has become a political flashpoint in Washington. While Congress passed legislation earlier this year requiring ByteDance to sell or face a nationwide ban, Trump has kept the platform operational while negotiations continue.

Trump has admitted a personal bias toward TikTok, crediting the app with helping him reach younger voters. He said over the weekend that Oracle’s Ellison, along with other American investors, are “patriots” who could ensure TikTok remains in the US market under American control.

Representatives for Ellison, Dell, and the Murdochs were not immediately available for comment.

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