Dakota State expected to play role in securing American TikTok
May 23, 2025
Dakota State University is well-versed in researching the security of apps, platforms, services, devices, and websites, making it an excellent candidate for a potential public-private partnership with an American-owned TikTok.
Reid Rasner, a Wyoming entrepreneur, who has submitted a bid to purchase TikTok from its China-based parent company Byte Dance visited Dakota State University to learn more about the work being done in the Madison Cyber Labs (MadLabs®).
The cyber labs study a variety of issues related to security, often through private-public partnerships that help solve real-world security issues in industries such as agriculture, government, banking, healthcare, and more. Rasner also learned about the work being done through the Dakota State University Applied Research Lab, which includes work with government organizations like the Navy and Army Cyber.
Rasner described the tour as fascinating, and that the research done through MadLabs® highlights the importance of developing public-private partnerships.
With Dakota State University’s cyber mission, strong working relationships with national agencies, such as the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense, and its expanding research, particularly in artificial intelligence and quantum computing, a public-private partnership with DSU to protect the data and security of TikTok will be essential, Rasner said.
“The state we call home is where meaningful, future-focused innovation is happening today, tomorrow, and for decades to come,” said. President José-Marie Griffiths. “We’re delighted to show what’s possible here, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead for potential collaboration and investment.”
South Dakota initially led the nation in banning TikTok for state government to protect Americans’ data; now, the state could be the location for an American-owned TikTok.
Governor Larry Rhoden hosted a press conference at Dakota State University this morning to share the news of a potential partnership between the state of South Dakota and TikTok, should Rasner’s bid be accepted.
“As we look forward to bringing TikTok to America and securing user data, but also our national security and our digital sovereignty, South Dakota becomes more prominent, and it’s due to the leadership and advanced thinking of Governor Rhoden and his office,” said Rasner, CEO of a wealth management company Omnivest Financial.
Rasner described South Dakota as a front-runner for housing the infrastructure of an American-owned TikTok. The acquisition of TikTok will require several data centers to protect different aspects of the app.
The bid, for nearly $50 billion, would make a clean break from China, buying the application and the algorithm, while also allowing Byte Dance to maintain a 20% stake in the company, Rasner explained.
The legislation regarding the sale of TikTok requires the executive office to sign off on whoever acquires TikTok, and according to Rasner, President Trump has only shared his bid on Truth Social.
“We’re excited to become part of the South Dakota Family, and we’ve been very welcome here,” Rasner said. “Sioux Falls has been amazing to us, Madison has been amazing to us, and the Black Hills has always been amazing to me.”