TikTok users deleted the app at 150% higher rates following the platform’s transfer to US ownership, according to Sensor Tower data. The surge came after TikTok announced a joint venture on January 22, 2026, with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX serving as managing investors. The new ownership structure formed in response to US law requiring ByteDance to divest its stake, with ByteDance retaining 19.9% ownership while US investors control 80.1% of the company.
The deletions followed the introduction of an updated privacy policy that removed previous restrictions on GPS data collection from US users. TikTok’s August 2024 policy explicitly stated that “current versions of the app do not collect precise or approximate GPS information from US users,” but the January 2026 policy now permits collection of “precise location data” when users enable location services. While competing apps like UpScrolled saw downloads increase more than tenfold, TikTok’s overall engagement levels remained relatively stable, indicating users are monitoring the situation rather than abandoning the platform entirely.
TikTok Uninstalls Surge 150% After US Takeover
Privacy policy changes and technical failures drive mass deletions despite stable user engagement
Timeline: TikTok’s US Transition
Key events from the federal ban enforcement through the formation of the US joint venture and subsequent user response.
Privacy Policy Changes: Before and After
Comparison between TikTok’s August 2024 privacy policy under ByteDance and the January 2026 policy under US ownership, based on archived policy documents and reporting from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).
Alternative Platforms Gaining Users
Download growth rates for competing short-form video apps during the week following TikTok’s ownership transition, based on Sensor Tower analytics data.
User Response and Technical Issues
Privacy Policy Data Collection Changes
The updated privacy policy removes the August 2024 restriction on GPS data collection. Users who enable location services now permit TikTok to collect precise location data accurate to specific addresses or apartment floor levels, according to EPIC. The policy also introduced collection of citizenship status, immigration status, sexual orientation, and racial or ethnic origin data, though similar language appeared in the archived August 2024 version.
Users cited concerns over the new data collection practices and conservative ownership structure as reasons for deleting the app. The January 25, 2026 power outage at a US data center caused cascading system failures affecting the For You algorithm and content upload functionality. TikTok attributed the technical issues to infrastructure problems during the ownership transition period.
The ownership structure places Oracle and Silver Lake among the managing investors, alongside investment from Michael Dell’s family office and Abu Dhabi-based MGX. Despite the 150% increase in uninstalls, TikTok’s overall engagement metrics remained stable, suggesting users are evaluating the platform’s direction under new ownership rather than immediately switching to alternatives like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.
The deletion surge occurred during the same week competing apps experienced growth. UpScrolled downloads increased more than tenfold, Skylight Social grew 919%, and RedNote saw 53% growth compared to the previous week. The simultaneous trends reflected user exploration of alternative platforms while maintaining TikTok accounts to monitor platform changes under US ownership.
TikTok has not yet implemented the precise location tracking functionality, with plans to add an opt-in prompt when the feature becomes active. Users concerned about data collection practices can disable location services through device settings, though the app will continue collecting approximate location data through IP address and SIM card information regardless of GPS settings.
