"Democratize it" - Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary shares his visions for TikTok takeover

Kevin O’Leary, widely recognized as a "Shark Tank" investor, has outlined his ambitious plans on Instagram for TikTok should Project Liberty’s bid to acquire the platform succeed. At the core of his vision is a strategy to rebuild trust and expand the user base by “democratizing” the platform. As O’Leary explained in his post on January 11, 2025,

"The way to do that is to democratize it, allow people to invest beside us."

His approach includes addressing security concerns, empowering users through data ownership, and transforming TikTok into a globally interconnected and user-centric network.

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Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary's vision for a democratized and user-centric TikTok

Prioritizing security and user trust

O’Leary highlighted that one of his primary goals is to address concerns over TikTok’s security and privacy. He explained that if the acquisition succeeds, the first step would be removing what he referred to as “Chinese spyware,” a measure mandated by Congress. This move, he emphasized, is essential to ensuring user data is handled securely and transparently.

The Shark Tank investor noted that trust among users is critical to TikTok’s growth.

“We’d like to get it past 200 million, and that means we’ve got to get everybody back that doesn’t trust it, that wouldn’t put it on their phone,” O’Leary explained.

In his Instagram post, O’Leary reiterated this approach, inviting individuals to register their interest in the initiative through a dedicated website, wonderfultiktok.com. The Shark Tank investor clarified that no funds will be accepted until regulatory approval is secured, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

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Empowering users through data ownership

O’Leary also described a user-centric vision for TikTok, focusing on giving users control over their data. He underscored that users would have the choice to share their data and, if they do, they would have the opportunity to profit from it. During e the interview he explained how users could tailor their preferences and receive compensation for data shared with advertisers.

“For example, I’m not interested in car ads. I want to learn about watches...So everything about watches, I want to learn. I want to be advertised to, and I want to get paid. You get to do that.” he said.

He emphasized that this model could redefine how social media platforms interact with users by making data sharing optional and mutually beneficial.

The Shark Tank investor highlighted that this feature could make TikTok a “sticky” platform, where users feel secure and engaged due to the opportunity to directly benefit from their activity on the app.

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Expanding TikTok’s reach and functionality

Supreme Court Hears Arguments In ByteDance And TikTok Case (Image via Getty)

O’Leary explained that expanding TikTok’s global presence and integrating it with other platforms are additional components of his vision. He underscored plans to make TikTok interoperable with other social media networks, enabling users to share content seamlessly across platforms.

“So if you're posting on Truth Social or on X, click here to populate tiktok. Everybody would want to do that.” he stated.

He also expressed a willingness to invite other major platforms, such as Instagram and Meta, to adopt similar two-way sharing capabilities. Global expansion is another key focus for the Shark Tank investor. He highlighted plans to introduce TikTok to markets such as India, Switzerland, France, and Canada.

He predicted that these efforts could transform TikTok into a “world’s largest television network” within two years, enabling the platform to reach and engage a significantly larger audience.

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A democratized and secure future

In summary, O’Leary emphasized that his approach to TikTok focuses on security, user empowerment, and global collaboration. By addressing security concerns, allowing users to invest in the platform, and giving them control over their data, he aims to rebuild trust and drive user engagement. As the Shark Tank investor wrote,

“This is not about free speech. It’s about Chinese spyware and democratizing the platform.”

Through these initiatives, O’Leary envisions TikTok becoming a secure, user-driven platform that stands out in the digital landscape. Interested individuals can explore his investment initiative by visiting wonderfultiktok.com, marking the first step in his efforts to “make TikTok wonderful again.”

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Catch Kevin O'Leary and the rest of the Sharks in Shark Tank, on Fridays at 8 PM ET on ABC and are available to stream on Hulu.