Larry Ellison once suggested that “citizens will be on their best behavior, because we are constantly recording and reporting everything that’s going on.” At the time, it sounded like a stark warning—or perhaps a vision—of a world where surveillance was woven into daily life. Now, that outlook feels eerily prescient as his company, Oracle, prepares to take a central role in overseeing one of the most influential social platforms on the planet.
According to a Fortune report, Oracle is set to provide critical infrastructure and security support in the proposed U.S. operations of TikTok. The arrangement would place the company in charge of safeguarding user data, monitoring algorithms, and ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations. It’s a dramatic expansion of Oracle’s influence, moving the firm from enterprise databases into the heart of global social media governance.
The development also reframes Ellison’s earlier comments. For years, he emphasized the power of technology to monitor and shape society, warning of a future where behavior is moderated by constant observation. Now, through Oracle’s infrastructure, his vision is closer to reality. Millions of users could soon find their online interactions influenced not just by TikTok’s algorithms, but by Oracle’s role in structuring how those systems are managed.
This shift raises questions about privacy, free expression, and concentrated power. Critics argue that placing so much control in the hands of one company risks tipping the balance toward surveillance and censorship. They note that Ellison’s views on monitoring behavior may align uncomfortably well with such a model. Supporters, however, see the move as a necessary safeguard—especially given ongoing concerns about foreign influence, data sovereignty, and security risks tied to TikTok.
For Oracle, the deal represents a chance to embed itself deeper into the AI and social infrastructure space. It’s not just about data centers and software anymore; it’s about controlling the backbone of how people communicate, share, and interact online. For Ellison, it’s a rare moment where his long-held warnings about surveillance collide with the realities of business and geopolitics.
What was once a provocative statement about citizens under constant watch is no longer a hypothetical. With Oracle at the center of TikTok’s future, Ellison’s outlook may end up shaping not just corporate strategy, but the daily experience of hundreds of millions of users worldwide.
