Amazon has entered the race to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations, making a last-minute offer just days before a key government deadline. The offer was sent to top U.S. officials, as the company hopes to gain control of the popular video-sharing app before an April 5 cutoff.
The U.S. government has ordered TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell its American business or face a nationwide ban. The order comes over concerns that the app could pose a national security risk, with fears that user data may be accessed by the Chinese government.
With the deadline fast approaching, Amazon’s bid adds new energy to the situation. However, some insiders say the offer is not being taken seriously by all decision-makers. Despite that, Amazon’s move signals how valuable TikTok has become in the U.S. tech market.
Other groups are also in talks to buy the platform. These include a team backed by tech company Oracle, investment firm Blackstone, and a group led by the founder of OnlyFans, Tim Stokely. Each group is trying to reach a deal that would satisfy U.S. concerns while keeping the app running.
President Trump is expected to meet with advisers soon to review all offers and decide how to move forward. There is also discussion about whether the government might extend the deadline to allow more time for a deal.
TikTok has around 170 million users in the U.S., many of them young people who use it daily for entertainment, news, and trends. The outcome of these talks will decide whether TikTok continues to operate in the country or shuts down.
As of now, ByteDance has not confirmed whether it plans to sell. The next few days are expected to be crucial in shaping TikTok’s future in the United States.
