Buyers circle and rumours swirl as TikTok sale deadline looms

As the deadline for deciding TikTok's future approaches, the list of potential buyers for the popular social media app continues to grow. TikTok, which has become a significant player in the social media landscape, faces the possibility of being shut down in the United States unless it sells to an American company by April 5. The range of interested parties includes major U. S. tech companies and even a British entrepreneur known for his adult content. However, TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have yet to confirm their willingness to sell. They also dispute the reasoning behind the sale, which stems from concerns that their ties to the Chinese government pose a national security threat. A crucial aspect of TikTok's appeal is its algorithm, which determines the content users see. This algorithm is widely regarded as a key factor in the app's success. Kelsey Chickering, a principal analyst at Forrester Research, remarked, 'TikTok without its algorithm is like Harry Potter without his wand - it's simply not as powerful. ' Despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation, Chickering expressed confidence that the app would not go offline in the U. S. She stated, 'It is highly unlikely that TikTok will go dark again. All signs point to a deal or another extension. ' On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance shared with Fox News that the Trump administration was poised to announce a deal before the impending Saturday deadline. 'I think that we're in a good place. We're going to keep on working at it,' he said. The landscape of potential buyers remains shrouded in uncertainty, with last-minute bids emerging. Amazon has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring TikTok, sending a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. However, Amazon declined to comment when approached by BBC News. Another late-stage bid has come from AppLovin, an app marketing and analytics company, which has remained tight-lipped about the speculation. Additionally, Tim Stokely, the founder of OnlyFans, has entered the fray with a bid that coincides with the relaunch of a company he co-founded in 2022. One confirmed bidder is Perplexity, an AI search startup backed by Jeff Bezos, who has outlined what their version of TikTok would look like for the American market. Frank McCourt, who founded Project Liberty in 2021, is also a potential investor. He aims to overhaul TikTok's current algorithm in favor of a more open version that grants users greater control over their content. This bid also includes Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary. Reports suggest that a consortium of American businesses is close to securing U. S. government endorsement for a bid, although the final decision rests with ByteDance, not the White House. This group includes Trump supporter Marc Andreessen and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, whose company already manages TikTok's data in the U. S. Donald Trump has mentioned other potential buyers, including Elon Musk, who has shown interest in acquiring TikTok in the past. Microsoft also expressed interest in 2020 when the previous Trump administration considered a TikTok ban that ultimately did not happen. YouTuber MrBeast, known for his massive following, has indicated that he has been contacted by various groups seeking to have him represent a new bid. However, regardless of who is ultimately chosen to pursue a bid, they will face a significant challenge: how do you acquire a company that is not officially for sale?