TikTok sells US operations to American investors in joint venture deal
On Sept. 25, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order outlining the terms of a deal to transfer TikTok to a US owner. The US president said he and China’s president Xi Jinping had come to an agreement to allow TikTok to continue operating in the US, separating the social media platform from its Chinese owner ByteDance. Trump said the deal complies with a law that would have forced the shutdown of the app for American users.
Under the plan, US investors will take over the majority of TikTok’s operations and take charge of a licensed copy of the app’s powerful recommendation algorithm. American companies are expected to own about 80% of the US version of the spun off company, while ByteDance and Chinese investors will own less than 20%.
In late-Dec. 2025, TikTok sold its US operations to a new joint venture with American investors, finally putting an end to years of uncertainty about the app’s future in the United States. The move ensures TikTok will continue running for its 170 million US users while meeting national security requirements.
The Associated Press reports that Oracle, Silver Lake, and Emirati firm MGX will each take a 15% stake in the new company. ByteDance will keep 19.9%, while affiliates of its existing investors hold 30.1%. A mostly American seven‑member board will oversee the venture.
Part of the deal focuses on data protection. US user data will be stored locally under Oracle’s management. TikTok’s algorithm, which powers its personalized video feed, will be retrained using American data to prevent outside influence. Content moderation and policy decisions will also be handled in the US.
The sale follows a law requiring TikTok to cut ties with ByteDance or face a nationwide ban. President Donald Trump extended deadlines through executive orders while negotiations continued. The agreement is expected to close in January 2026. With TikTok sold, the app avoids shutdown and enters a new phase under American oversight. How this change will affect TikTok in other regions, including the Philippines, remains to be seen.
The new setup for TikTok is in response to a law passed under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, that has forced ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations or face a ban in its biggest market. US policymakers, including Trump in his first presidency, have warned that China could use TikTok to mine data from Americans or exert influence through its state-of-the-art algorithm.
Trump has repeatedly delayed enforcement through successive executive orders, most recently extending the deadline into January. The deal largely confirms a September announcement by the White House that said a new venture had been agreed with China and would meet the requirements of the 2024 law.
Reference: TikTok sold: ByteDance finalizes US deal
The new site includes separate sections for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision, Watch, and TV apps. It also brings the familiar “Today” tab to the web, with curated stories, top charts, and special events.
App pages now look more polished as well, with clearer icons for categories, awards, and events. There’s also a built-in search tool, so users can find apps directly.
One handy feature is the toggle in the top-left corner, which lets users switch between different App Store platforms. However, you still can’t download apps from the web version. It’s more for browsing and discovery than installation.
While Apple hasn’t shared any plans to expand the site’s functionality, this move shows a clear push toward making its app ecosystem more accessible across devices.
The leading tech giant believes that the best technology is designed with everyone in mind. That’s why their products and services have built-in features to help you create, connect, and do what you love, your way.
Apple’s long-standing commitment to accessibility is fundamental to everything they do. The tech leader trains and motivates its employees to innovate in terms of individual work performance and idea contributions for product development, design, and other processes.
Reference: Apple brings full App Store experience to the web – Technobaboy
Super thin, it unfolds to a 10-inch (25.4 centimeter) display, offering “increased possibilities for creating and working,” the South Korean tech giant said. The triple fold function is not world-first — China’s Huawei beat Samsung to the punch last year with a phone at a similarly exorbitant price.
Growth has been patchy in the competitive smartphone market, pushing makers to find new, eye-catching ways to differentiate their products. Offered solely in a black design, Samsung’s new device comes in at 309 grams (10.9 ounces) and at its thinnest point measures less than 0.2 inches.
Generative artificial intelligence features are integrated into the phone, which can give real-time help through screen or camera sharing. Samsung admitted the Galaxy Z Trifold was “not intended for mass sales.”
Alex Lim, executive vice-president at Samsung Electronics said it was a “special edition” product.
The launch comes as recent industry numbers suggest Apple is on track to overtake Samsung for the first time in 14 years as the world’s top smartphone maker through 2029. Apple has also long been rumored to be planning a foldable iPhone, possibly as early as next year.
The US company’s smartphone shipments are expected to reach a global share of 19.4% in 2025 while Samsung is expected to hold 18.7% — with Apple effectively dethroning its rival for the first time, according to research firm Counterpoint.
Reference: Samsung unveils first ‘special edition’ triple-folding phone
