Billionaires Approach MrBeast to Buy TikTok

Summary

• MrBeast has expressed interest in saving TikTok from a potential US ban, and a group of billionaires is reportedly in discussions to make this happen.
• The sale of TikTok is complicated by ByteDance's reluctance and potential Chinese government intervention, but discussions continue.
• Concerns over TikTok's data sharing with China led to the ban, but the feasibility of the app's sale and a US-based takeover remains uncertain.

MrBeast, the popular YouTuber, has reportedly shown interest in saving TikTok from being banned in the US, and a group of billionaires has been in talks with him to turn this idea into a reality. With the clock ticking on TikTok's future in the US, several high-profile individuals are exploring ways to prevent the app's ban.

TikTok's immense popularity has been overshadowed by concerns about its origins, leading to President Biden signing a bill in April 2024 that forces TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to either shut down the app's operations in the United States or sell its US business. Although ByteDance has not recently shown interest in selling, the looming deadline has sparked renewed discussions on how to prevent the app's shutdown.

On January 14, MrBeast tweeted about potentially buying TikTok to save it from the impending shutdown on January 19. While some fans might have dismissed this as a jest, MrBeast later revealed that multiple billionaires have contacted him to discuss making the idea a reality. Although he did not name the billionaires, MrBeast is now seriously considering the possibility.

Could MrBeast Save TikTok?

In theory, if TikTok's US operations were managed by a US-based entity, the app could potentially continue operating in the country. The primary reason for the ban stems from US government concerns that data shared through the app could be accessed by the Chinese government, potentially leading to misinformation and data privacy issues, including the alleged harvesting of information from underage users, as noted by the Department of Justice. However, the biggest hurdle is whether TikTok is even available for purchase.

Despite numerous discussions about buying the app, it's unclear if a sale would materialize, even with substantial financial offers. ByteDance's lawyer, Noel Francisco, has stated that the app is not for sale and any attempt to sell it would likely be blocked by the Chinese government. Although ByteDance previously considered selling its stake in TikTok to avoid a ban, their stance has shifted. The idea of MrBeast and a group of billionaires pooling their resources to purchase TikTok is intriguing, but it remains to be seen if ByteDance and the Chinese government will agree to a deal.