TikTok future remains in limbo amid sale and ban discussions

On Monday, US President Donald Trump told journalists that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok and would like to see a bidding battle over the app.

The popular social media app TikTok faces uncertainty in the US, as its Chinese parent company ByteDance grapples with mounting pressure to divest the platform due to national security concerns.

With about 170 million American users, TikTok was temporarily taken offline on January 19, just before a new law requiring ByteDance to sell the app or face a ban took effect.

Trump Administration Extends Deadline

On January 20, former President Donald Trump, after taking office, signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the law by 75 days.

Trump recently announced he is in discussions with various parties about TikTok’s future, promising a decision within 30 days.

Potential Buyers in the Mix

Trump has expressed openness to tech mogul Elon Musk potentially purchasing TikTok, though Musk has not commented on the offer. Meanwhile, an AI startup, Perplexity AI, reportedly proposed a merger with TikTok, suggesting the US government could acquire up to 50% ownership in the new company.

Microsoft has also re-emerged as a potential buyer, marking the second time the tech giant has been linked to a TikTok acquisition.

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However, Microsoft declined to comment on the matter, and both TikTok and ByteDance have yet to respond to inquiries outside regular business hours.

TikTok’s Troubled Past in the US.

This isn’t the first time TikTok has been under scrutiny. During Trump’s previous term, he ordered the separation of TikTok’s US operations from ByteDance, citing national security risks over data privacy concerns. The app’s ties to China have long been a focal point in discussions about its future in the US.

What Lies Ahead

With high-profile names and startups vying for TikTok’s ownership, the app’s future is poised to remain a significant topic in tech and politics.

A resolution—whether a sale, merger, or ban—is expected within the next few months, as both ByteDance and the US government navigate this ongoing standoff.

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