TikTok Finalizes U.S. Joint Venture to Avoid Ban

🔔 Top Stories

TikTok Finalizes U.S. Joint Venture to Avoid Ban

TikTok has finalized a deal to form a new U.S. joint venture that lets the social platform continue operating in the United States. The move ends years of regulatory uncertainty and avoids a ban tied to concerns about foreign ownership. Most ownership of the new venture is held by U.S. and international investors, while the Chinese parent ByteDance holds a minority share. The joint venture will handle U.S. data protection, content moderation, and algorithm security under clear oversight rules.

AI Compliance Challenges and What They Mean for Businesses

AI compliance refers to the steps organizations take to make sure AI systems meet legal, ethical, and regulatory standards. As laws like the EU AI Act and similar rules around the world take shape, companies face six main challenges: navigating global rules, applying risk-based regulation, meeting new compliance duties, coordinating across teams, sharing responsibility across functions, and setting up technical safeguards. Strong AI compliance supports transparency, fairness, data privacy, and reduces risk of fines.

Legal and Compliance Issues with Exporting Goods to Cuba

Exporting goods to Cuba involves tight U.S. trade laws and sanctions that cover both direct and indirect activities. Businesses must follow rules set by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Even small errors—such as routing payments through U.S. banks or working with unauthorized importers—can lead to fines and legal action. Companies should confirm licensing, check involved parties, and maintain detailed records to stay compliant.

🧠 Expert Take

As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker rooms and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks. This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit.  Insider betting schemes erode the integrity of American sports, and this Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to corrupt sports through illegal means. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr.

🧰 Compliance Toolkit

China’s New AI Models Pose Complex Compliance Questions

China’s rapid AI development, especially models like DeepSeek, is prompting compliance and regulatory discussions for global tech firms. These models compete with Western AI offerings and raise questions about export controls, ethics, and data security as companies enter international markets. DeepSeek’s open-source releases and fast growth highlight the need for compliance teams to monitor both legal and ethical risks tied to global AI operations.

🎟️ Upcoming Event

FINRA’s 2026 Third-Party Vendor Request Webinar

📍 Virtual | Feb 2, 2026

FINRA is hosting a webinar focused on its Third-Party Vendor Request for financial firms. The session will explain why firms must submit detailed information on key vendors and how the data will be used. The request supports oversight of third-party providers that are essential to operations or compliance functions. 

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