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 prevent the platform's shutdown.

ByteDance, TikTok's China-based 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 been hosting 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 may face scrutiny. The US government's push for a US-based buyer stems directly from concerns about ByteDance's Chinese ownership and potential national security risks.

Photo Credit: Peter Kaminski / CC by 2.0

Amid these ownership discussions, TikTok is implementing new safety features, particularly for younger users:

• A "wind down" reminder for teens under 16 using the app after 10 PM
• Calming music and meditation exercises to encourage mindful app usage
• Enhanced Family Pairing features allowing parents to:
  • Set specific time restrictions
  • Monitor their child's followers and following lists
  • View blocked accounts
  • Create recurring usage schedules

These safety measures represent TikTok's efforts to address concerns raised by tech experts and government officials while its future ownership structure remains under negotiation.

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