Amazon launches last-minute bid to buy TikTok before US ban

The future of TikTok was thrown into yet more uncertainty on Wednesday when reports emerged suggesting that Amazon had launched a shock bid to buy the social media platform.

The news comes as TikTok edges nearer to the US ban which is set to come into effect on Saturday. American lawmakers had passed a law severely restricting the operations of ByteDance, the Chinese-owned parent company, unless it is sold to an approved buyer.

The Trump administration had enacted a temporary pause on the ban but it expires on April 5, leaving ByteDance looking for buyers or face closure. Reuters reports an official from within the White House has confirmed that Amazon sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, informing them of the plans.

Amazon is thought to covet an in-house social media network that could increase relevancy with the younger generations. A platform with the scale of TikTok could also act as a major generator for more sales.

Last Sunday Trump revealed that there were four parties in the running to take ownership of TikTok. Around 170 million Americans are now users of the app and the White House is eager to prevent a break in service. For Trump, who issued executive protections for TikTok on his first day in office, the sale is now a key issue for his administration.

“We have a lot of potential buyers,” Trump told reporters last weekend. “There’s tremendous interest in TikTok... I’d like to see TikTok remain alive.”

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