TikTok names former Boeing executive as US public policy chief
TikTok has appointed Ziad Ojakli, a veteran of major global companies, as its new head of public policy for the Americas. The announcement comes at a crucial moment for the company as it works to finalise a significant restructuring of its US operations to comply with national security requirements set by the United States government.
In a memo to employees, TikTok chief executive Chew Shou Zi said Ojakli will officially begin his new role on December 1. Ojakli previously served as the head of government affairs at Boeing and has also held senior public policy roles at Ford Motor and Softbank. His appointment reflects TikTok’s efforts to strengthen its policy leadership in Washington at a time of heightened scrutiny of the platform’s ownership and data practices.
The leadership change comes as TikTok’s parent company ByteDance continues negotiating a deal to divest about 80 per cent of its US assets. The sale is intended to satisfy the requirements outlined in a 2024 law designed to address concerns over national security and data security. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in September that gave ByteDance until late January to complete the transaction. The proposed divestment would bring in a consortium of US and global investors to take a controlling stake in TikTok’s American business.
As the company works toward meeting the deadline, the addition of Ojakli is seen as part of TikTok’s effort to navigate a complex political environment. His extensive experience engaging with lawmakers, regulators and government agencies in multiple industries is expected to support the company’s push to remain accessible to American users while addressing the federal government’s concerns.
Chew noted in his memo that Ojakli will step into the role previously held by Michael Beckerman, who has been a prominent figure in TikTok’s response to threats of a nationwide ban. Beckerman announced earlier this year that he planned to transition out of his role and take on a global advisory position within the company. His shift comes as TikTok continues restructuring its public policy operation in anticipation of increased regulatory oversight.
TikTok’s naming of a high profile policy leader highlights the company’s focus on stability as negotiations continue. The platform, which remains one of the most popular social media apps in the United States, faces pressure to reassure both regulators and users that it can operate securely and independently from its parent company. Analysts say that the next several months will be critical as TikTok works to finalise the sale, build trust with lawmakers and maintain its large user base amid political uncertainty.
By choosing an executive with long standing experience in government affairs across multiple major corporations, TikTok appears to be signalling that it is preparing for a prolonged period of policy engagement in the US market. Ojakli’s arrival marks another step in the company’s broader strategy to adapt to evolving regulatory demands while continuing to grow its presence in the Americas.
