Summary
- MrBeast has expressed interest in saving TikTok from a potential US ban, and discussions with a group of billionaires are underway to explore this possibility.
- TikTok's sale is complicated by ByteDance's reluctance and potential Chinese government intervention, yet the talks continue.
- The ban on TikTok stems from concerns about data sharing with China, but the feasibility of the app's sale and a US-based takeover remains uncertain.
MrBeast has reportedly shown interest in preventing TikTok from being banned in the US, and it appears that a group of billionaires have been in discussions with him to make this a reality. As the deadline for TikTok's potential ban in the US approaches, various stakeholders are exploring options to keep the app operational.
TikTok's immense popularity has not been without controversy, particularly regarding its origins, which have raised concerns among US lawmakers. In April 2024, President Biden signed a bill that requires TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to either shut down its US operations or sell the US portion of its business. Despite ByteDance's recent reluctance to sell, the looming deadline has spurred conversations about potential solutions.
On January 14, MrBeast took to X (formerly Twitter) to casually mention his interest in buying TikTok to prevent its shutdown on January 19, the deadline set by the law. While some may have interpreted this as a jest, MrBeast later clarified that multiple billionaires had contacted him about turning this idea into a reality. Although he did not disclose their identities, the popular YouTuber is now seriously considering the possibility.
Could MrBeast Save TikTok?
Theoretically, if TikTok's US operations were managed by a US-based entity, the app might be allowed to continue operating in the country. The primary concern driving the ban is the US government's fear that data collected by TikTok could be shared with the Chinese government or used to spread misinformation, including data from underage users as noted by the DOJ. However, the critical question remains whether TikTok is even available for purchase.
Despite numerous discussions about buying out the app, it's unclear if a sale would materialize, even with substantial financial offers. ByteDance's lawyer, Noel Francisco, has reportedly stated that TikTok is not for sale and that any attempts to sell it would likely face opposition from the Chinese government. While ByteDance was previously open to selling its stake in TikTok to avoid a ban, their stance seems to have shifted. The idea of MrBeast and a group of billionaires pooling their resources to purchase TikTok is intriguing, but it remains to be seen whether ByteDance—and potentially the Chinese government—can be persuaded to agree to a deal.
