What’s Next for TikTok? A Look at Potential Buyers.

What does the future hold for TikTok? Let's explore the potential buyers of this popular app together.

The Fate of TikTok in the US Remains Uncertain

Although TikTok has come back online, its future in the United States is still uncertain. Former President Donald Trump’s decision to delay the ban provides only a temporary reprieve for the company.

A Strategic Shift for ByteDance

Initially, ByteDance was hesitant to sell TikTok’s US operations. However, this stance appears to have shifted with Trump’s rise to power. A ByteDance investor noted that reaching a deal to keep TikTok in the US was in everyone’s best interest. Chinese officials have also indicated they are “open” to a deal, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Interest from Oracle, Microsoft, Perplexity AI, and Others

Various individuals and companies have shown interest in TikTok. Trump himself expressed a desire to see a “bidding war” for the app and suggested that the US government should own a stake in the company. However, the nature of any potential deal remains unclear.

Companies like Oracle, Microsoft, Perplexity AI, and the investor group Project Liberty have voiced their interest in TikTok. For Oracle, this would involve handling the app’s algorithm, data collection, and software updates, while ByteDance would retain a minority stake.

Microsoft’s interest in TikTok is not new. The tech giant previously attempted to acquire the social media company in 2020, but the deal was abruptly halted.

What Now?

Currently, TikTok is back in a state of uncertainty. The app could face removal again if a deal is not reached. However, it appears that both the government and ByteDance are more willing to negotiate than before. We will continue to monitor how the situation unfolds.