Microsoft is in Talks to Buy Chinese Video-sharing Social Networking Service Tik Tok

Tech giant Microsoft revealed recently that CEO Satya Nadella has had a conversation with President Trump over purchasing Tik Tok from ByteDance.

Microsoft stressed that it “fully appreciates the importance” of addressing President Trump’s concerns and that a full security review of the app will be conducted.

In a blog post the company said it would have to provide the US government with a list of the “proper economic benefits” to the country, it said in a blog post.

Microsoft aims to finish its discussions with TikTok’s parent firm ByteDance by September 15th.

The company wants to buy the TikTok service in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and would operate the app in these markets. The company also said that it “may” invite other American investors to participate in the purchase “on a minority basis”.

Microsoft says it will ensure that “all private data of TikTok’s American users” was transferred to and remained in the US.

It was last week that President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: “As far as TikTok is concerned we’re banning them from the United States.”

A White House spokesman also stated, “The administration has very serious national security concerns over TikTok. We continue to evaluate future policy.”

A Tik Tok spokesperson did not comment on the potential acquisition and said, “While we do not
comment on rumours or speculation, we are confident in the long-term success of TikTok.”

Former Facebook chief security officer Alex Stamos remarked on Twitter, “This is getting bizarre. A 100% sale to an American company would have been considered a radical solution two week ago and, eventually, mitigates any reasonable data protection concerns. If the White House kills this we know this isn’t about national security.”

Disclaimer: We have no position in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) and have not been compensated for this article.