Amazon has reportedly made a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok’s US operations, just days before the deadline for the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest from the popular platform or face a ban.
According to The New York Times, the tech giant submitted its offer in a letter to officials overseeing the sale, a move aimed at addressing U.S. national security concerns. However, sources familiar with the negotiations suggested that Amazon’s bid is not being taken seriously.
The U.S. government has set an April 5 deadline for TikTok’s divestment from ByteDance. The move stems from a law passed last year over concerns that the app’s Chinese ownership poses security risks. While President Donald Trump previously supported banning TikTok, he has recently softened his stance, emphasizing the platform’s appeal to younger voters.
Other potential bidders include Oracle, private equity firm Blackstone, and a coalition of investors under “The People’s Bid for TikTok,” spearheaded by real estate mogul Frank McCourt. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities would still need to approve any deal, and Trump has hinted at offering tariff reductions to secure Beijing’s cooperation.
