Is Amazon really trying to buy TikTok as deadline nears?

A few months back, TikTok went completely black for US users as the authorities decided to ban the app in the States unless it is sold by the parent company ByteDance. TikTok has grown to be a major e-commerce hub.

However, the app has been accused several times of accessing sensitive information for the Chinese government via the app. Such activity is a matter of national security, and the US has taken regulatory steps against it. But after Trump’s win, the sale or ban was delayed by 75 days.

Recently, Amazon has submitted a last-minute surprise bid to acquire TikTok’s US operations. The submission comes just a few days before the deadline, which is 5th April. The app must secure a non-Chinese buyer to continue operations in the United States.

A proposal was sent by Amazon to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, reported by a US administration official. Although Amazon didn’t accept the comment, it did raise the share market of the company by 2%.

Many other entities have also shown interest in buying TikTok. Tim Stokely, the founder of OnlyFans, has also submitted his bids. The U.S. venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has also shown keenness in acquiring the popular social media platform.

The parent company ByteDance expects to retain a minority stake, ensuring compliance with US regulations. In a recent interview, President Trump said that they “have many potential buyers” and are showing a lot of interest in buying the app. Also expressed was “to see TikTok remain alive.” The States alone has above 135 million monthly active users and has emerged as an e-commerce marketplace.

As the final deadline approaches, President Trump will be meeting the senior officials to review the final proposals. The future of TikTok in the United States is yet to be determined.