Related videos:
The tech giant Amazon has made a formal offer to acquire the operations of TikTok in the United States, just days before the legal deadline, which could lead to the prohibition of the popular app in the country, on April 5th.
The proposal was revealed by The New York Times, which cites three sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
According to the newspaper, the offer was submitted through a letter addressed to U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, amid government pressure for TikTok to sever its ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, due to national security concerns.
However, according to the agency EFE, the White House does not appear to be taking Amazon's proposal seriously, according to the cited sources. Official skepticism arises as pressures on TikTok increase, which must decide whether to sell or face expulsion from the (significant) U.S. market.
The Amazon offer comes as TikTok's future in the U.S. is on a countdown. The deadline granted to the app is next Saturday.
It is important to remember that the decision was driven by national security concerns related to data usage by Chinese companies.
An uncertain future and several interested companies
The potential sale of TikTok has sparked interest from various tech companies and investment funds. Among those interested are names such as Microsoft, Oracle, and Blackstone, according to specialized media. It is unclear whether Amazon is directly competing for a full purchase of the operations in the U.S. or for a partial stake.
President Donald Trump has stated that he will not allow the app to disappear from the country. In fact, he plans to meet with high-ranking officials at the White House to discuss the future of the app, which currently has 170 million users in the United States.
During a few days in January 2025, TikTok stopped working in the United States. Users even reported that the app had disappeared from the Apple App Store in the U.S., which made new downloads impossible.
Time is running: tick tock.
Frequently asked questions about Amazon's offer to buy TikTok
Why does Amazon want to buy TikTok?
Amazon has made an offer to acquire TikTok's operations in the United States amidst pressures from the U.S. government for the app to separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, due to national security concerns. The purchase could prevent a TikTok ban in the U.S. and would allow Amazon to expand its presence in the social media market.
What will happen to TikTok if it is not sold before January 19, 2025?
If TikTok is not sold to a buyer approved by U.S. authorities before January 19, 2025, it will face a total ban in the United States. This means that the app would no longer be available to users in the country, as a result of national security concerns.
What is the position of the U.S. government on Amazon's offer?
The White House, according to cited sources, is not taking Amazon's proposal to purchase TikTok seriously. Official skepticism arises amid increasing pressures for TikTok to separate from ByteDance, which could mean that the Amazon offer is not seen as a viable solution by the government.
What other companies are interested in buying TikTok?
In addition to Amazon, other technology companies and investment funds have shown interest in buying TikTok. Among the interested companies are Microsoft, Oracle, and Blackstone, according to specialized media. It is unclear whether these companies are seeking a total acquisition or a partial stake in TikTok's operations in the U.S.
Filed under: