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Amazon’s Bid for TikTok Raises Eyebrows
Amazon has reportedly made a last-minute offer to acquire TikTok as the popular short-video app faces mounting pressure to separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The US government has raised concerns over TikTok’s ownership, citing national security risks.
A law passed last year requires TikTok to either restructure its ownership or face a nationwide ban. While the law was initially set to take effect in January, former President Donald Trump postponed its enforcement, giving ByteDance until this Saturday to comply.
Is Amazon Serious About Acquiring TikTok?
According to The New York Times, Amazon’s bid has not been taken seriously by many involved in the negotiations. The company reportedly sent its proposal to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Despite skepticism, Amazon's interest signals its growing ambitions in the social media space.
Why Amazon Wants TikTok?
TikTok has become a powerful platform for e-commerce, with influencers using it to promote and sell products. While TikTok operates its own shopping feature, TikTok Shop, many content creators drive sales toward Amazon, earning commissions through affiliate programs.
Amazon has already attempted to introduce TikTok-like features. Last year, it launched Inspire, a short-video shopping experience within its app. However, the feature failed to attract users and was discontinued earlier this year.
Other Companies Eyeing TikTok
Amazon isn’t the only company that has shown interest in TikTok. In 2020, Microsoft and Walmart attempted to acquire the app when the US government pressured ByteDance to divest. Billionaire Frank McCourt and Employer.com founder Jesse Tinsley have also expressed interest in bidding for TikTok.
While it remains uncertain whether Amazon’s bid will materialize, its potential entry into the social media space could reshape the e-commerce landscape.
