Oracle has emerged as the leading candidate to serve as TikTok's cloud technology partner in the US, with ByteDance required to finalize a US-based sale by April to avoid a nationwide shutdown.

Photo Credit: Peter Kaminski / CC by 2.0

ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, reportedly favors Oracle over other cloud providers, according to sources familiar with the matter. This preference stems from TikTok's existing relationship with Oracle, which has hosted US user data on its servers since 2022.

While ByteDance aims to maintain significant involvement in TikTok's US operations with Oracle as a partner, this arrangement faces scrutiny from US officials who cite national security concerns regarding Chinese ownership. These concerns initially prompted the push for a US-based buyer.

Amid ownership negotiations, TikTok has implemented new safety features targeting young users:

• A "wind down" reminder for users under 16 using the app after 10 PM
• Full-screen notifications with calming music
• Enhanced parental controls through Family Pairing:
  • Time Away feature for scheduled access restrictions
  • Parent visibility of follow lists and blocked accounts
  • Upcoming meditation exercises

The platform plans to expand these safety features in the coming weeks, demonstrating its commitment to addressing user protection concerns while navigating its complex ownership transition.

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