TikTok remains in the U.S. after a last-minute deal, but its future is uncertain due to unclear ownership and potential user loss.

TikTok will stay in the U.S. after a last-minute deal under the Trump administration averted a ban, but its future remains uncertain. New American owners, including Oracle, News Corp., Silver Lake, and Andreesen Horowitz, may reduce Chinese data risks but lack proven success managing consumer social media. Critics fear a right-wing shift, potentially driving away TikTok’s young, left-leaning user base of 170 million, similar to Twitter’s decline under Elon Musk. Many creators are already moving to platforms like Reels and YouTube, and without its current users, TikTok could devolve into low-quality, engagement-driven content. Key details about ownership, app changes, and governance are still unclear, leaving the platform’s long-term viability in doubt.