Since news broke in late January TikTok’s U.S. business Now that the app will be dominated by the United States, many people who previously shunned it are having second thoughts. The shift has reopened conversations among parents, educators and seniors who once viewed TikTok as off-limits due to concerns about foreign ownership.

One reader summed up this hesitation neatly in an email we received. This reflects a question many families are asking right now.

“I read the summary of the approved joint venture deal between Chinese (20%) and US investors (80%). We currently do not have a TikTok account. We have been following useful shorts through the media and are considering opening an account once the deal is completed and control of the account is in the hands of the US side. However, we are not technical people and remain concerned about the security of said account.”

— Charlie

This concern is understandable. For years, TikTok has raised questions about foreign ownership, data access and national security. The concerns are serious enough to trigger government bans, lawsuits and strong warnings to families. Now, the chapter has changed. TikTok’s U.S. business currently adopts a U.S.-led ownership structure, with U.S. investors holding controlling and operating rights. This change is important. But it doesn’t automatically change the way the platform behaves. The more useful question today is not whether TikTok is allowed. Here’s how to use it wisely, with clear boundaries and better control, especially with children and teenagers. That’s what this guide is for.

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What the U.S. ownership change actually improved

It’s important to acknowledge that things are different now.

Governance and Control in the United States

TikTok’s U.S. operations are no longer controlled by one company Parent company headquartered in China. This eliminates the risk of direct access under China’s national security law.

Strengthen supervision

The platform currently operates under U.S. privacy expectations, enforcement standards, and congressional scrutiny. This brings clearer guardrails to data processing.

clear responsibilities

When something goes wrong, the responsibility falls with one jurisdiction. There is no ambiguity as to who will answer this question. This is meaningful progress, especially for families who have avoided using TikTok entirely due to concerns about ownership.

What TikTok says are new U.S. structural safeguards

TikTok said its U.S. operations currently operate through TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, a U.S.-controlled entity created under an executive order signed on September 25, 2025. The joint venture is designed to protect U.S. user data, secure recommendation algorithms and oversee U.S. users’ trust and safety decisions, the company said. TikTok said U.S. user data is stored in Oracle’s secure cloud environment in the U.S. and protected through a comprehensive privacy and cybersecurity program that has been reviewed and certified by third-party experts.

The company also said the recommendation algorithms used for U.S. users are retrained, tested and secured within the United States. TikTok added that the joint venture has decision-making authority over U.S. user trust and safety policies and content moderation, and provides ongoing transparency reporting and independent oversight. These safeguards focus on where data is stored, who manages the data, and how systems are audited, rather than eliminating data collection or personalization.

nothing has changed at all

This is the part that many people overlook.

Even with its new ownership, TikTok still employs the same core business model as every major social media platform.

• It tracks what you watch and how long you watch it.
• It learns about your interests and habits.
• It uses this information to shape your feed and target ads.

TikTok is still very effective in this regard. Its recommendation system adapts quickly, which explains its popularity and influence. That kind of power makes Privacy settings More important than ever.

Smarter ways for families to use TikTok

Pretending TikTok doesn’t exist rarely works. The children heard about it from friends. Adults can see helpful videos shared on other platforms. A better approach is to set it up intentionally from the start. The following steps won’t ruin the experience. They simply reduce unnecessary contact and give families more control.

Step 1: Block TikTok from accessing your contacts

Limiting contact access prevents TikTok from mapping your personal network.

How to turn off contact book and Facebook synchronization

• Opene TikTok app
• Click your contour in the lower right corner
• Click three line menu in the upper right corner
• choose Settings and privacy
• Click privacy
• tap Sync contacts and Facebook friends
• Toggle between two options leave so they look gray

why this is important

When contact syncing is on, TikTok can learn about people you know, even if they have never used the app. Turning it off limits how the platform connects your account to real-world relationships, reduces account suggestions tied to your phone book, and helps prevent your personal network from becoming part of your TikTok data profile.

Step 2: Reduce ad targeting

You will still see ads. They will rely less on activities outside of TikTok.

How to disable ad tracking outside of TikTok

• Open TikTok app
• screw you contour in the lower right corner of the screen
• click three line menu in the upper right corner
• tap Settings and privacy
• scroll to Advertisement 1and click on it
• Under Manage your external TikTok data, toggle Targeted advertising outside of TikTok off so it turns gray
• If available, you can also toggle targeted advertising Turn off to further limit personalization

why this is important

Turning off these features will reduce how TikTok uses the data it collects Beyond apps Personalized advertising. You’ll still see ads, but they won’t be as closely tied to your browsing and app activity elsewhere.

Step 3: Make your account private

This step is especially important for children and teenagers. Private accounts limit who can view content, comment, and interact.

How to make your account private

• Open TikTok app
• screw you contour in the lower right corner of the screen
• click three line menu in the upper right corner
• tap Settings and privacy
• Click privacy
• switch private account lights up so it turns blue
• switch active status off so it turns gray

why this is important

Private accounts allow you to control who can view and interact with your content. This is especially important for children and teenagers, as it reduces exposure to strangers, spam accounts, and unwanted messages.

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Step 4: Control how people find you

TikTok recommends accounts based on contacts, phone numbers, and shared connections unless you stop it.

How to close account suggestions

• Open TikTok app
• screw you contour in the lower right corner of the screen
• Click three line menu in the upper right corner
• tap Settings and privacy
• Click privacy
• tap Recommend your account to others
• close All options

why this is important

Account suggestions are typically driven by phone numbers, contacts, and shared connections. close these Make it harder for TikTok to associate your account with your offline identity or expose it to people you haven’t chosen to connect with.

Step 5: Hide content you like and follow

Likes and follows send signals about your interests and habits. Keeping them private adds another layer of protection.

How to hide your activity

• Open TikTok app
• screw you contour in the lower right corner of the screen
• Click three line menu in the upper right corner
• tap Settings and privacy
• Click privacy
• tap watchlist under interaction
• set it to only you

why this is important

Over time, likes and follows reveal interests, habits, and patterns. Keeping them private limits what others can infer about you and reduces the data signal TikTok can amplify across the platform.

Step 6: Download your TikTok data

This step often changes people’s perception of the platform.

How to request your TikTok data

• Open TikTok app
• screw you contour in the lower right corner of the screen
• Click three line menu in the upper right corner
• tap Settings and privacy
• tap account
• tap Download your data
• below Request datathe type of information included in the review and click the box next to it or Select all
• choose one File format
• tap Request data

TikTok will start preparing your file. This process usually takes several days. Once the data is ready, you must return to the Download Data tab to retrieve it. The download link will expire after a short window, so please check back regularly.

why this is important

Requesting your data reveals everything TikTok stores about your account, from activity patterns to interaction history. Viewing this information directly can help you determine whether the level of tracking is appropriate for the way you want to use the Platform.

Pro tip: Protect yourself outside of app settings

Privacy settings help, but they can’t stop everything. Social media platforms like TikTok are a common spreading point for malicious links, fake giveaways, and lookalike login pages designed to steal passwords or install malware. Use powerful, up-to-date Antivirus software Add a critical layer of protection by blocking dangerous sites and downloads before a click becomes a problem. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the winners of the best antivirus protection of 2026 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices: Cyberguy.com.

Take my quiz: How secure are you online?

Do you think your device and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where you stand with your digital habits. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get personalized details on what’s going right and what needs improvement. Take my quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

TikTok said the new safeguards protect where the data is stored and who controls it in the United States. Your personal settings still determine how much data is present in the first place. A change of ownership reduces certain risks but does not replace personal responsibility. Privacy on TikTok depends more on how you configure it than who owns it. If you are considering opening an account controlled by a US investor now, start slowly, lock down the settings and review your data early. This approach puts you in control rather than the algorithm.

If a platform knows so much about you, how much access are you really willing to give it? Please write to us Cyberguy.com.

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