**ByteDance agrees to sell 80% of TikTok’s US assets into a joint venture**, resolving years of regulatory turmoil from a 2020 ban attempt and a 2025 divest-or-delist law that briefly took the app offline, with the deal set to close January 26.[4] This high-impact development under President Trump’s return to office ensures TikTok’s US continuity amid national security concerns while reshaping social media geopolitics.[4]

References:
1. https://techstartups.com/2025/12/18/top-tech-news-today-ai-startup-stories-december-18-2025/
2. https://www.styletech.net/post/top-news-in-tech-december-2025
3. https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/12/tech-layoffs-2025-list/
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G70hPo83qA8
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkpIjo3PeLo
6. https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411519/ai-statecraftthe-top-news-policy-concerns-for-reg.html
7. https://medium.acerbo.me/the-great-tech-pivot-of-december-2025-five-stories-that-will-shape-your-next-venture-9944cf5f449f