As the U.S. government inches closer to enforcing a nationwide ban on TikTok due to national security concerns, Amazon has reportedly made a last-minute bid to acquire the social media giant.
The move places Amazon alongside other major players such as Oracle and various investment groups that are seeking to purchase TikTok’s U.S. operations from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
The US administration has given TikTok until April 5, 2025, to find an American buyer or face an outright ban, citing concerns that the app could be used by the Chinese government to access U.S. user data. TikTok, which has over 170 million American users, has repeatedly denied these allegations and has taken measures to store U.S. user data domestically under its "Project Texas" initiative.
Amazon's bid signals the company's growing interest in the social media space, as it looks to expand beyond e-commerce and cloud computing. Analysts suggest that if Amazon successfully acquires TikTok, it could integrate the platform into its advertising ecosystem, creating new opportunities for brands and influencers.
The negotiations are ongoing, with the U.S. government closely monitoring the situation. A decision on TikTok’s fate is expected soon, as the deadline for a sale rapidly approaches.