Microsoft has confirmed that it is looking at acquiring TikTok operations in the US as the app faces a ban from President Donald Trump. Last Friday Trump told reporters he was preparing to ban the video-sharing app within days after weeks of threatening to do so.
Trump, along with other politicians around the globe, has raised issues with the app for its Chinese ownership ByteDance, exposing it to influence from the Chinese government.
To avoid a ban, ByteDance has entered talks with Microsoft to purchase the app, which would include operations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
“Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President’s concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury,” the company says in a blog.
“Microsoft will move quickly to pursue discussions with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, in a matter of weeks, and in any event completing these discussions no later than September 15, 2020. During this process, Microsoft looks forward to continuing dialogue with the United States Government, including with the President.”
Microsoft has committed to storing US user data in the US but says its talks to purchase TikTok are preliminary.
