In late 2025, TikTok's U.S. operations transitioned to a new company, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, as part of a deal aimed at allaying security concerns related to Chinese ownership. This ownership change followed years of legal pressure from the U.S. government, which sought to ensure that Americans' data was protected from foreign interference. The change in ownership coincided with a significant increase in the number of American users deleting the app, reportedly rising by nearly 150% following the announcement of the ownership shift. However, despite the management transition, users raised concerns over content moderation practices within the app. Reportedly, messages containing politically sensitive terms and criticisms of leaders, particularly those associated with President Trump, faced suppression. This situation sparked deeper inquiries into the motivations behind content control on the platform, which led to investigations regarding potential bias against certain political perspectives. The heightened scrutiny came in the wake of broader discontent with social media transparency and governance. Additionally, throughout 2022 and 2023, TikTok was criticized for its data collection policies by prominent figures like Joe Rogan. He detailed how the app accesses vast amounts of data from its users, such as device information and internet activity, raising alarms about privacy and security amongst American users. While data collection practices are not unique to TikTok, the concerns were magnified by the platform’s previous association with China and the ongoing geopolitical tensions. The recent changes in ownership have not led to a change in TikTok's core business model, which relies on collecting user data for targeted advertising. This means that, although users may feel more comfortable with an American-owned TikTok, the fundamental operations of data collection and targeted marketing remain largely the same. Moreover, experts suggest that users can take steps to protect their privacy, such as managing device settings and opting out of certain data tracking features to enhance their online safety. Overall, while the ownership change represents a significant shift in the management of TikTok's U.S. operations, it also reflects a broader anxiety over data privacy, political moderation, and the enduring influence of social media platforms in American political discourse.