TikTok hires former Boeing lobbyist as public policy chief for Americas

TikTok named Ziad Ojakli on November 25 as its head of public policy for the Americas, a strategic recruitment that places a senior figure with aerospace and defense sector experience at the center of the company’s U.S. outreach. The appointment comes amid intense scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and regulators over data access and national security related to the app’s China based parent company, ByteDance. TikTok has been pursuing a plan to separate its U.S. assets in part to address those concerns.

Ojakli joins TikTok after serving as Boeing’s government affairs chief, bringing to the job a background in navigating complex federal policy environments and in building relationships across the defense and aerospace communities. Reuters reported the hire, and described it as part of broader efforts by ByteDance and TikTok to show they are increasing U.S. engagement and recruiting officials with national security and aerospace experience to help guide negotiations with regulators and lawmakers.

The timing of the appointment underlines the high stakes for TikTok as it negotiates the terms of a potential structural separation. Lawmakers in both parties have expressed concerns about foreign access to American users data, and regulators have signaled that changes to ownership or governance will be closely scrutinized. TikTok has repeatedly said it wants to find a path forward that preserves the app for U.S. users while responding to national security questions, and the company has layered its Washington operation with seasoned public policy hires as part of that effort.

In U.S. policy circles reactions to the hire were mixed, reflecting broader skepticism and cautious interest. Some observers view the move as evidence that ByteDance is serious about professionalizing its U.S. engagement and capable of building teams that understand defense and security concerns. Others say experienced hires alone will not resolve core questions about control of data and decision making, and that the substance of any separation agreement will determine whether Washington is satisfied.

Ojakli’s role will likely involve intensive interaction with congressional staff, regulatory agencies, and state and local officials to map out compliance measures and operational safeguards. He will also be expected to help frame TikTok’s public policy arguments and to articulate technical and legal steps the company proposes to mitigate perceived risks. Having a leader with ties to the aerospace and defense world may ease some technical dialogues, but it may also raise fresh questions about close industry ties and their implications for oversight.

The appointment adds another layer to an unfolding test of how major technology platforms can reconcile global corporate structures with mounting national security concerns. As talks over divestiture and oversight continue, the success of TikTok’s strategy will depend on whether it can convert experienced hires and diplomatic engagement into concrete, verifiable changes that satisfy U.S. decision makers and preserve the app’s future in the United States.