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Amazon Eyes TikTok Amid Acquisition Buzz
As the clock ticks down to a crucial deadline, Amazon has emerged as a potential buyer of TikTok, joining a growing list of interested parties. Reports from The New York Times indicate that the tech giant has made a “last-minute bid” for the popular shortform video app and reached out to key political figures including Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to discuss the offer.
The timing of Amazon’s bid raises questions, as TikTok is under pressure to secure a deal before the April 5 deadline, a date set by the Trump administration. Although President Trump has signaled a possible extension of the deadline, The Times notes that White House officials appear skeptical about Amazon’s late entry into the fray. As of now, Amazon has not publicly commented on its intentions regarding TikTok.
Amazon’s bid is part of a broader landscape of potential acquisitions for TikTok, which has attracted attention from a diverse group of investors and industry figures. Notable names include YouTube sensation MrBeast, who has support from a consortium featuring Roblox’s CEO, David Baszucki, as well as Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who is part of an initiative called “Project Liberty.” Additionally, tech company Perplexity AI has proposed leveraging TikTok’s content within its search engine platform.
Despite the imminent deadline, uncertainty looms over the timeline for announcing TikTok’s next steps. President Trump has expressed a desire to finalize a deal before the Saturday cut-off, yet the exact process remains unclear. Stakeholders and observers alike await further developments as the situation evolves.
Source
www.engadget.com