Amazon Enters TikTok Acquisition Race at the Last Minute
Amazon has reportedly thrown its hat into the ring to acquire TikTok, joining a growing list of potential buyers as the app faces an impending ban deadline. The New York Times reports that Amazon has made a "last-minute bid" for the popular short-video platform, even reaching out to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to discuss the offer.
The timing of Amazon's offer raises questions, considering the April 5 deadline for TikTok to secure a deal. While former President Donald Trump had previously indicated a willingness to extend the deadline if needed, the current administration's stance on Amazon's late entry remains unclear. According to The Times, White House officials don't appear to be taking the bid "seriously." Amazon has so far declined to comment on the matter.
Who Else Wants TikTok?
Amazon joins a diverse group of companies and investors vying for TikTok's acquisition. This list includes prominent figures like YouTuber MrBeast (backed by investors including Roblox CEO David Baszucki), Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian (part of the "Project Liberty" investor group), and Perplexity AI, which envisions integrating TikTok's short-form video content into its search engine.
Despite the rapidly approaching deadline, the future of TikTok remains uncertain. With just days to go, the details of any potential deal and the timeline for a final decision are still unclear.
Source: Engadget