14 DAY TRIAL // TikTok has caught the attention of quite a lot of tech giants, and after Microsoft, Twitter, and Oracle, it now looks like Google’s parent company was also interested in taking over the Chinese service.
According to a report from Bloomberg, however, Alphabet didn’t plan to buy TikTok all by itself but as part of a consortium, with Google’s parent company to only receive a minority, non-voting stake in the social network.
At this point, however, it’s believed that the plan to purchase TikTok has already been abandoned, albeit the same report indicates that Alphabet didn’t say no when asked whether it considers a future bid in the company or not.
The Microsoft talks
In the meantime, TikTok is believed to be in advanced talks with Microsoft, as the software giant originally announced a September 15 deadline for reaching an agreement with ByteDance.
“The discussions with ByteDance will build upon a notification made by Microsoft and ByteDance to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS),” Microsoft said in an announcement in early August.
“The two companies have provided notice of their intent to explore a preliminary proposal that would involve a purchase of the TikTok service in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and would result in Microsoft owning and operating TikTok in these markets. Microsoft may invite other American investors to participate on a minority basis in this purchase.”
United States President Donald Trump has also signed an executive order to ban TikTok, as well as WeChat, in the country due to security concerns. TikTok parent company ByteDance has already decided to fight the government order in court, while also accusing the White House Administration of getting involved in the takeover talks taking place between private companies.