TikTok Appoints Adam Presser to Head New U.S. Entity

Move aims to address regulatory issues and improve operations in the United States

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:55am

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TikTok has named Adam Presser as CEO of its new U.S. joint venture, TikTok USDS Joint Venture. Presser, a Harvard-educated executive with experience at TikTok and other major global companies, will manage the platform's daily U.S. operations and act as the public face of the company in America. The restructuring is meant to address concerns about foreign influence and data privacy, with ByteDance retaining a minority 19.9% stake while other American investors own the majority.

Why it matters

The move to appoint Presser and establish a new U.S. entity for TikTok comes after years of political pressure, including threats to ban the platform unless it separated from Chinese control. Lawmakers have raised concerns about national security and data privacy, so the restructuring is aimed at addressing those worries and showing stability as TikTok shifts to a more regulated and locally managed structure in the United States.

The details

Under the new joint venture, ByteDance will hold a 19.9% stake, while Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi's MGX each own about 15%, and other American investors make up the remaining stake. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will sit on the board, along with representatives from the major investors. Presser, who previously served as chief of staff to the CEO and led operations and trust & safety, will now manage TikTok's daily U.S. operations and act as the public face of the company in America.

  • TikTok has named Adam Presser as CEO of its new U.S. joint venture, TikTok USDS Joint Venture.

The players

Adam Presser

A Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School graduate who takes charge of TikTok's new U.S. joint venture at a critical moment as the platform restructures its American business to reassure lawmakers and protect user trust.

Shou Zi Chew

The CEO of TikTok, who will sit on the board of the new U.S. joint venture along with representatives from major investors.

ByteDance

The parent company of TikTok, which will retain a 19.9% minority stake in the new U.S. joint venture.

Oracle

One of the American investors that will own about 15% of the new TikTok USDS Joint Venture.

Silver Lake

One of the American investors that will own about 15% of the new TikTok USDS Joint Venture.

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What’s next

Experts think the new leadership means TikTok is evolving, not starting over completely, and the company is expected to keep offering the same TikTok experience, but now under stricter U.S. oversight.

The takeaway

The restructuring of TikTok's U.S. operations, with the appointment of Adam Presser as CEO of the new joint venture and the shift to majority American ownership, is aimed at addressing longstanding concerns about foreign influence and data privacy, while allowing the platform to continue operating in the United States under a more regulated and locally managed structure.