On January 26, 2026, a power outage at a U.S. data center triggered widespread disruptions for TikTok users across the country. The outage coincided with the recent establishment of a U.S. joint venture that separates the app from its Chinese parent, ByteDance. While the company attributes the glitches to the data center failure, users and observers have linked the timing to the new ownership structure and concurrent political events.
At a Glance
- TikTok users experienced app crashes and algorithm glitches after a data-center power loss on January 26, 2026.
- The outage followed the creation of a U.S. TikTok joint venture in which ByteDance holds less than 20%, and investors Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX each own 15%.
- The incident overlapped with protests in Minneapolis and heightened concerns over data collection following a recent privacy-policy update.
TikTok Outage and Data Center Power Loss
The outage began late Sunday night as a major storm swept the U.S. The company’s X post confirmed that a power failure at a U.S. data center had impacted TikTok and other apps it operates. The post read: “Since yesterday we’ve been working to restore our services following a power outage at a U.S. data center impacting TikTok and other apps we operate… We’re sorry for this disruption and hope to resolve it soon.” The post was timestamped January 26 2026.
Joint Venture and Protests
The joint venture between TikTok and its parent company is part of a broader strategy to address regulatory concerns in the United States. Meanwhile, protests across the country have highlighted broader issues of data privacy and corporate accountability.
Impact on Users
Users experienced significant disruptions, with many unable to access the platform for extended periods. The company’s response has focused on restoring services and addressing user concerns about data privacy.
Privacy Concerns
The joint venture has raised questions about data sharing and user privacy. The company has emphasized its commitment to protecting user data while complying with regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
The TikTok outage and related protests underscore the complex intersection of technology, privacy, and regulation. Users remain vigilant about their data privacy as the platform navigates these challenges.
