Microsoft and Oracle Eye TikTok: Will One of Them Seal the Deal?

As a dedicated TikTok enthusiast, I’m excited about the news that the White House is seeking an American buyer for this revolutionary social media platform. It’s no secret that TikTok has revolutionized the way we consume content, outgrowing predecessors like Vine with its longer videos and captivating algorithm. This addictive app has transformed short-form videos into a primary source of entertainment, with movie and TV studios leveraging it for promotions and larger creators on YouTube and Twitch using it to showcase highlights and boost their content’s visibility.

Social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and others have been following TikTok’s lead by introducing similar scrolling feeds tailored to user preferences. However, TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has faced controversy for allegations that it spies on and collects data from American citizens for China’s benefit. The potential national security risk led President Trump to consider a ban in 2020, but it wasn’t until Biden’s presidency that this ban was actually implemented. By the time, Trump had changed his stance and now aims to preserve TikTok instead.

On January 18th, TikTok was temporarily banned, removed from app stores, and made inaccessible to users who had it installed within the U.S. However, only a day later, the app resumed operation following Trump’s assurance that the ban would be lifted. Presently, TikTok is technically illegal in the U.S., but as long as ByteDance has 75 days to find an American buyer for its operations here, it can continue functioning. Consequently, several large corporations and entities are reportedly vying for control over TikTok.

TikTok May Get Bought by Microsoft

As reported by NPR, both Microsoft and Oracle are potential contenders vying for control over the popular app, TikTok. Oracle’s existing deep integration with TikTok, coupled with their long-term partnership, could make Oracle a strong candidate to manage TikTok. In such a deal, ByteDance would retain a small ownership stake while Oracle would take charge of the app’s algorithm, data collection, and software updates. Microsoft’s intentions remain unclear at this time, but it’s worth noting that they have previously shown interest in acquiring TikTok. With tech giants like Google (YouTube), Facebook (Meta), Instagram, and Amazon (Twitch) already dominating social media, it seems reasonable for Microsoft to aim to establish its own significant social media platform.

President Trump stated that Oracle isn’t in discussions to purchase TikTok, but he hasn’t excluded other significant parties from potential negotiations. When asked about the matter, Trump replied, “No, not Oracle.” He further added, “Many influential individuals are discussing the acquisition with me, and I’m likely to make a decision regarding this within the next 30 days. Congress has given us 90 days. If we can salvage TikTok, I believe it would be beneficial.

The future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain at this point. While President Trump appears to prioritize its continuation here, the ultimate decision lies with ByteDance as they are the ones who can execute any potential deal.

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2025-01-26 20:39