TikTok has been a hot topic in the US for years due to concerns about data security and its connection to China-based ByteDance. The app, which faced multiple legal battles, even shut down briefly before returning online. However, its future remains uncertain as discussions about a possible sale continue.
Experts estimate that TikTok’s US operations could be valued at over $60 billion, attracting interest from various investors. While the US government pushes for a sale, several high-profile individuals and companies are looking to buy the platform.
Former President Donald Trump, who once attempted to ban TikTok, recently changed his stance. In January, the Supreme Court upheld a law requiring the app to be sold or face a ban. However, TikTok quickly challenged this, arguing that the restrictions violated First Amendment rights. After temporarily shutting down, the app resumed operations following Trump’s intervention. To delay the ban, Trump signed an executive order giving TikTok 75 more days to negotiate a sale or partnership with a US company.
Several major groups have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok.
One of them is The People’s Bid for TikTok, led by Frank McCourt, former owner of the LA Dodgers. This group includes notable figures like Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, investor Kevin O’Leary, and Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web. Their goal is to prioritize user data privacy through an open-source approach.
Another group, The American Investor Consortium, is led by Jesse Tinsley, the founder of Employer.com. The consortium has reportedly made a $30 billion all-cash offer to acquire TikTok’s US operations. Among the investors involved are David Baszucki (Roblox CEO), Nathan McCauley (Anchorage Digital), and YouTube star MrBeast.
Other key players considering a bid include former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and major corporations like Oracle, Walmart, Microsoft, and Rumble. Even AI-powered search engine Perplexity AI has shown interest in acquiring the platform.
Despite all the interest, TikTok’s fate remains unclear. With multiple companies and investors competing to take over, the next few months will be critical in determining whether the app will remain in the US and under what ownership structure.
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