Amazon tells White House it’s interested in buying TikTok

Amazon has expressed interest in acquiring TikTok ahead of a crucial deadline set by the U.S. government for its parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular social media app. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Amazon has submitted a bid for TikTok, while another plan being considered involves a new entity backed by U.S. companies like BlackRock and Oracle leasing TikTok’s algorithm from ByteDance.

Lawmakers passed a bill last year setting a deadline for the sale of TikTok, which was extended by President Trump. The current deadline for ByteDance to sell its stake in the app is April 5, after which TikTok could face a ban in the U.S. Amazon’s bid was reportedly included in a letter addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Industry analysts believe that Amazon’s interest in TikTok highlights the app’s significance for online retailers, as it has the ability to drive e-commerce purchases. Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, emphasized the role of TikTok in consumer entertainment and discovery, leading to impulse purchases, which is a growing segment in the e-commerce market.

In addition to Amazon, California-based mobile technology company AppLovin has also shown interest in acquiring TikTok. President Trump recently mentioned that there are multiple potential buyers for TikTok and that the final decision rests with him. He expressed a desire for TikTok to continue operating in the U.S.

The U.S. government has raised concerns about TikTok’s potential threat to national security due to the vast amount of customer data it collects. ByteDance briefly shut down TikTok in the U.S. earlier this year, prompting President Trump to intervene and pause the ban. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed into law under former President Biden, could make it illegal for app stores and web-hosting services to distribute or service TikTok.

It is important for TikTok to find a buyer before the deadline to avoid facing a ban in the U.S. Amazon’s interest in acquiring TikTok demonstrates the app’s value in the e-commerce landscape and its potential for driving consumer engagement and purchases. The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, but with multiple potential buyers and ongoing discussions, there is hope for a resolution that allows the app to continue operating in the country.