With the April 5 deadline quickly approaching, the race to acquire TikTok has become a fierce competition, with major bidders emerging at the last minute. Amazon and a group led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely are the latest players to throw their hats into the ring for the popular short-video social media platform, which is at risk of being banned in the United States unless it can secure a non-Chinese buyer.
TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, faces mounting pressure from U.S. officials over security concerns. The Trump administration and other U.S. officials have raised alarms about TikTok’s potential ties to China, accusing the app of being a tool for influence operations and data collection. Although TikTok and ByteDance have denied these allegations, the app’s future in the U.S. hangs in the balance.
The April 5 deadline is critical, with U.S. law requiring TikTok to divest its operations from China in order to continue operating in the U.S. market. The stakes are high as Washington officials claim that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a national security threat. If TikTok fails to secure a new buyer, it risks facing a ban in the U.S. market, where nearly half of the country’s population uses the app.
Among the latest bidders, Amazon’s move has generated significant interest. The tech giant, which has long eyed the possibility of launching its own social media network, recently submitted a bid to acquire TikTok. While Amazon’s exact intentions remain unclear, the company’s bid is seen as part of a broader strategy to tap into younger audiences and increase its presence in social media. In the past, Amazon has acquired platforms like Twitch and Goodreads as part of its efforts to expand its digital services, and a TikTok acquisition would align with its ambitions.
In a separate development, Tim Stokely, the founder of OnlyFans, has partnered with a cryptocurrency foundation to form a consortium that aims to acquire TikTok. Stokely’s group, through his startup Zoop, has submitted a late-stage bid to secure the platform, adding another layer of intrigue to the already competitive process.
Other bidders include private equity firm Blackstone, which is reportedly in talks to contribute capital alongside ByteDance’s non-Chinese investors, Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic. Additionally, a venture capital firm, Andreessen Horowitz, is in discussions to provide outside funding for a bid led by Oracle, in an effort to buy TikTok’s U.S. business and separate it from ByteDance.
While the future of TikTok remains uncertain, the situation has sparked intense discussions about data privacy, national security, and the evolving power dynamics between global tech giants. As the deadline draws near, all eyes are on the potential buyers and what impact their involvement could have on the app’s future in the U.S.
In a related development, the White House has also been involved in talks about spinning off a U.S.-based entity for TikTok, reducing Chinese ownership to below the 20% threshold required by U.S. law. This proposal would effectively distance TikTok from its parent company, ByteDance, and create a more American-controlled version of the app.
While some have questioned the seriousness of Amazon’s bid, others are taking the situation very seriously, given TikTok’s massive influence. The platform, which boasts millions of active users in the U.S. alone, has become a cultural phenomenon that’s hard to ignore. If Amazon or another bidder succeeds, the acquisition could reshape the landscape of social media and online entertainment.
As the clock ticks down, the world waits to see who will ultimately secure TikTok and how the app’s future will unfold. The competition is heating up, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for both the app and its potential new owners.
