Apple refutes rumors that it is trying to buy TikTok
A report claiming that Apple has expressed an interest in buying the TikTok video-sharing social network has been explicitly denied by the company.
Amid threats of a presidential ban and a potential acquisition of its US operations, news stories surrounding the fate of the highly popular TikTok have centered around how Microsoft was supposedly buying into the company. According to sources of one report, Apple could have been interested in making a similar purchase.
Multiple sources of Axios claim Apple "expressed interest" with buying TikTok from ByteDance. However, the report stresses that none of the sources are based within Apple, indicating the sources may be either connected more with TikTok's US outfit or a middleman between the two companies, if discussions were taking place.
A purchase of TikTok would be unusual for Apple for multiple reasons, including electing to wade into a business that is at the center of current political tensions between the United States and China.
Apple is not the only one apparently looking at TikTok besides Microsoft, with private equity firms claimed to be interested in making an investment. Of this group, it is claimed some are firms that do not already have any existing investments in ByteDance, though at the same time there is a pessimistic view that a private equity firm could accomplish the purchase without assistance from a strategic partner.
Microsoft was originally thought to be acquiring the TikTok US operations from ByteDance, with initial terms leaving the Chinese tech giant with a minority stake. A threat of a ban in the United States by President Trump led to ByteDance offering a total divestment of its US TikTok business to keep the deal alive.
President Trump has since declared that TikTok's US operations have to be sold to a US-based company by September 15, or face a ban and a shutdown of the US arm. Experts have warned against such an aquisition.
Update: Following the report, Axios reached out for comment. An hour after publication, Axios apparently received a response denying that it had interest in the buy.
Amid threats of a presidential ban and a potential acquisition of its US operations, news stories surrounding the fate of the highly popular TikTok have centered around how Microsoft was supposedly buying into the company. According to sources of one report, Apple could have been interested in making a similar purchase.
Multiple sources of Axios claim Apple "expressed interest" with buying TikTok from ByteDance. However, the report stresses that none of the sources are based within Apple, indicating the sources may be either connected more with TikTok's US outfit or a middleman between the two companies, if discussions were taking place.
A purchase of TikTok would be unusual for Apple for multiple reasons, including electing to wade into a business that is at the center of current political tensions between the United States and China.
Apple is not the only one apparently looking at TikTok besides Microsoft, with private equity firms claimed to be interested in making an investment. Of this group, it is claimed some are firms that do not already have any existing investments in ByteDance, though at the same time there is a pessimistic view that a private equity firm could accomplish the purchase without assistance from a strategic partner.
Microsoft was originally thought to be acquiring the TikTok US operations from ByteDance, with initial terms leaving the Chinese tech giant with a minority stake. A threat of a ban in the United States by President Trump led to ByteDance offering a total divestment of its US TikTok business to keep the deal alive.
President Trump has since declared that TikTok's US operations have to be sold to a US-based company by September 15, or face a ban and a shutdown of the US arm. Experts have warned against such an aquisition.
Update: Following the report, Axios reached out for comment. An hour after publication, Axios apparently received a response denying that it had interest in the buy.
State of play: Apple spokesperson tells Axios that there are no discussions about buying TikTok and the company isn't interested.
-- Dan Primack (@danprimack)
Comments
but Apple isn’t terribly savvy when it comes to this, and likely it hasn’t occurred to them to buy into this.
but Trump has also said, and like most of what he says, bizarrely stated that the U.S. treasury should also get partly paid for this deal, if it happens. As I said, bizarre.
I do hope Apple buys it. I actually felt in love with TikTok (and made me change my mind about millennials - they are actually a very clever + smart + creative bunch). It would be a perfect addition to Apple's services
"Apple spokesperson tells Axios that there are no discussions about buying TikTok and the company isn't interested."
There have been sever articles about how Trump is enraged over a female comedian (I’m terrible with names, and so don’t remember hers) who continually makes fun of him on TicTok by voice syncing to things he says. You know ?Trump. He hates being made fun of, and a number of people think that that’s a big part of this. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised, but it’s speculation.
You are talking about the GENIUS that is Ms Sarah Cooper. Yes, it's possible, because her work has been a lock down treat for us in the UK.
There was a massive number of young TikTok users who organised themselves to get outdoor tickets for the Tulsa rally, and then didn't show up. So again, TikTok.
Microsoft and Apple are completely different companies. Microsoft acquires companies to acquire customers, and after they've done it, the customers usually start complaining that the service they've bought has gone to hell (Skype and LinkedIn).
Apple acquires technology and talent to implement a planned strategy. I don't really see how buying TikTok helps with that strategy.
Getting back to the topic at hand, I do agree with you on TikTok not having a role in Apple’s planned strategy.
Well, Microsoft wants it so people can think they're "cool".
At least it will fit with Apple. Not saying I want Apple to own it as I can think of 100 better acquisitions.
Can you give details? TikTok will still be available on Apple devices and I don't see how this will help younger people stay with Apple.
The only ideas I can come up with is TikTok being ad-free for Apple customers and punishing knockoff customers with ads. But the acquisition cost may not be worth it.
Another idea is tight integration with iMessage.
It's a risky move as TikTok seems to be at it's peak and can easily fall, this isn't like Beats. Next year a new platform may be all the rage.
Still disappointed that Twitter killed Vine, allowing this to happen.