As TikTok faces an uncertain future in the United States, the company is undergoing a significant internal restructuring. According to an internal memo from CEO Shou Zi Chew confirmed by TikTok, the platform is merging its Core Product and Trust & Safety teams into one unified organization.
“This new team will allow us to better leverage our technical capabilities across both business and safety objectives,” Chew stated in the memo. “It will also help us move faster in developing the next generation of safety technology.”
As part of the restructuring, Adam Presser, currently head of Operations and Trust & Safety, will become the general manager of TikTok USDS. USDS is a distinct entity within TikTok, responsible for protecting U.S. national security interests. TikTok confirmed the appointment.
Andy Bonillo, the current general manager of TikTok USDS who played a key role in building the organization, will move into a new role as senior adviser, reporting to Presser.
Presser will continue to oversee the TikTok Operations teams, while Sandeep Grover is stepping in as the new head of Global Trust & Safety. Additionally, Jenny Zi has been named the new leader for TikTok Live.
This reorganization comes at a critical time, as former President Trump recently extended the deadline for a U.S. TikTok shutdown for the third time, now set for September 17. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned last week that TikTok would be banned in the country if China fails to approve a deal for the platform’s sale. Lutnick also emphasized that the U.S. must gain control of TikTok’s algorithm as part of any agreement.
In response to these high-stakes developments, occurring amid an ongoing U.S.-China tariff war, TikTok appears to be bolstering its USDS team as negotiations continue.
To enhance coordination across its trust and safety initiatives, Chew said the Trust & Safety Product team will now fall under the broader TikTok Product division. A new “Platform Responsibility” team is also being created, to be led by Adam Wang and reporting to Fiona Zhi. Wang previously led the global expansion of TikTok Live over the past four years.
“I am confident this reorganization will better position us for the opportunities ahead,” Chew concluded.
