Amazon, OnlyFans founder make last-minute bid to buy TikTok

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With a critical deadline looming, TikTok is having a hard time finding a buyer to avoid being banned in the US by April 5.

The popular short-video app has come under fire from US officials who say the Chinese government could use it for spying or propaganda. 

While TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has denied these allegations, the pressure remains.

Several high-profile companies and investors are now competing to take over TikTok’s US operations. One of the latest potential buyers is Amazon. 

Amazon previously bought Twitch, a live-streaming service, and experimented with a TikTok-style video feed called Inspire, which it later shut down. 

If Amazon acquires TikTok, it could use the platform to engage younger audiences and boost its online shopping empire. However, some insiders doubt that Amazon’s bid is serious. (via: Reuters)

Another unexpected bidder is Tim Stokely, the founder of OnlyFans, through his startup, Zoop. 

He has teamed up with a cryptocurrency group to make a late-stage offer for TikTok. While OnlyFans is known for adult content, Stokely’s involvement adds an unusual twist to the bidding war.

Meanwhile, private equity and tech firms are also in the mix. 

Blackstone, a major investment firm, is in talks with TikTok’s existing non-Chinese investors, including Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, to raise funds for a buyout. 

Another American investment firm, Andreessen Horowitz, is discussing joining a group led by Oracle, a major tech company, to carve TikTok out of ByteDance.

The US government has been actively involved in shaping the sale. Officials are pushing for a deal limiting Chinese ownership of the new US-based TikTok entity to under 20%. 

This move aligns with a 2024 law that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok by January 19, 2025.

Despite all the interest, TikTok’s future remains uncertain. If a deal isn’t reached soon, the app could be forced out of the US, affecting millions of American users and content creators.

What do you think of TikTok’s future in the US? Do you think it can get a buyer before it’s too late? Tell us below in the comments, or via our Twitter or Facebook.