14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is already in talks to purchase TikTok’s operations in the United States and a series of other large markets, like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but according to a report, the software giant doesn’t want to stop here.
Microsoft is now discussing a possible takeover of TikTok in the United Kingdom too, according to a report from Bloomberg citing an unnamed banker who talked with Fox Business Network.
The talks in this regard have already started, albeit, for now, Microsoft buying TikTok in the United Kingdom is something that looks a little bit more difficult than in the United States.
And it’s because TikTok itself has nothing to worry about in the U.K., as the local government has already confirmed that it has no intention to ban the service in the country. In other words, there’s no pressure for TikTok to sell its U.K. operations, and the company even wanted to move its U.S. headquarters to London, albeit a decision in this regard hasn’t been made.
TikTok negotiations advancing
While these negotiations seem to advance to include more local operations of TikTok, Microsoft has set a September 15 target for taking over the service.
Microsoft has already confirmed that if the deal goes through, it plans to move the data of American users to the United States and then store it locally.
“Microsoft would ensure that all private data of TikTok’s American users is transferred to and remains in the United States. To the extent that any such data is currently stored or backed-up outside the United States, Microsoft would ensure that this data is deleted from servers outside the country after it is transferred,” Microsoft says.
The company hasn’t provided any other update on the current state of the negotiations, but an announcement is expected in the coming weeks.