Is it really 2025 already? In the tech world, it seems Microsoft is making headlines again with whispers of a potential takeover of TikTok.
Last year, if you recall, the US Congress approved a bill mandating TikTok, owned by a company based in China, to either divest its operations or shut down entirely. The bill wasn’t stopped by then-President Joe Biden, so it became law. TikTok initially refused to comply, which led to the app disappearing from screens last Sunday. However, it quickly resurfaced, accompanied by a notification thanking the new President, Trump, for giving them another chance.
President Trump has granted TikTok a 90-day extension, but despite this, the app hasn’t made its way back to Google Play or Apple’s App Store due to the legislation. TikTok faces a looming deadline to either shut down in the US or secure a buyer soon.
In light of all this, NPR has mentioned via The Verge that Microsoft is once again in the mix to potentially purchase TikTok.
The app, famous for its short, snappy videos, has drawn criticism globally for its highly effective yet addictive algorithm, notorious for fostering echo chambers and all sorts of radical ideas. The US government considers TikTok a national security concern due to its parent company ByteDance’s ties with the Chinese Communist Party. There are worries that TikTok could be a platform for spreading propaganda or even for tracking US citizens. Over in the European Union, there’s ongoing scrutiny about TikTok’s influence on the rise of extremist groups and its role in spreading pro-Putin propaganda.
Reports hint at the possibility of a White House-brokered solution where Oracle would take over TikTok’s global operations, with ByteDance retaining a minor stake. Microsoft is reportedly part of these discussions, though details about their specific role remain scarce. All companies involved have kept their lips sealed regarding any developments.
On the social media front, platforms like Meta with Facebook and Instagram, Google’s YouTube, Amazon’s Twitch, and Microsoft’s own LinkedIn each have distinct roles. LinkedIn is a massive entity, focused on professional networking, but it doesn’t capture the cultural zeitgeist like more mainstream social platforms. Imagine if Microsoft were to take control of a social titan like TikTok—it could potentially invigorate their consumer-focused avenues such as Windows, Surface, and Xbox. Envisage seamless integration of TikTok with Xbox or kicking off a new video editing tool within Windows, influenced by TikTok’s style. Though it might be reminiscent of how things panned out post-Microsoft acquiring Skype, one can only speculate.
Realistically, it seems improbable that Microsoft will end up owning TikTok. With TikTok being one of Microsoft Azure AI’s significant clients, their collaboration likely centers around Azure AI development. TikTok relies heavily on these tools for its machine learning capabilities, although most of their operations run on Oracle’s cloud infrastructure. Microsoft’s future involvement might just be limited to its ongoing AI services, but who knows?
What if this all unfolds differently? Imagine the possibilities!
