A group of investors including Oracle and Microsoft are reportedly in talks to take over TikTok's global operations NPR. The deal, which is reportedly being negotiated by the White House, would see ByteDance retain a minority stake in TikTok, while “Oracle would oversee the app's algorithms, data collection, and software updates.”
One of NPR's anonymous sources said that Oracle's server network already provides much of TikTok's backbone, and that under the deal the company will be able to “effectively monitor what's happening on TikTok.” ,” one of NPR's anonymous sources added. The purpose of the agreement is to “minimize Chinese ownership.”
Microsoft's reported involvement is not clear beyond saying it is “participating in negotiations.” The company also competed with Oracle and Walmart in a 2020 takeover bid to acquire TikTok, which Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates called “toxic.”[ed] Holy grail. ” Walmart is reportedly not involved this time because it “balked at the estimated price” of the app.
News of the meeting comes after President Trump issued an executive order giving TikTok and others a 75-day reprieve from enforcement actions related to U.S. demands that ByteDance divest from TikTok. President Trump has previously hinted at the possibility of a “joint venture” in which the U.S. would own 50% of the company.
We reached out to Oracle, Microsoft, TikTok, and the White House for comment.
