Kick Reaches Out to TikTok with Acquisition Offer
Kick, the Stake.com-owned streaming platform, teased its intention to purchase TikTokâs US-facing assets. This announcement comes ahead of the social media platformâs looming ban.
TikTok to Sell Its US Assets
TikTok has cemented itself as a phenomenon despite its inherent security risks. While the US government has previously expressed concerns about the platform, this has done little to impede its growth.
TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, caused fears that Americansâ user data could be accessed by the Chinese Communist Party. As a result, Congress passed a law that requires ByteDance to sell its TikTok assets in the US to a buyer not controlled by a foreign adversary. Supporters of this law argued that this would protect Americans from potential espionage and surveillance efforts.
CNBC estimates that TikTokâs US-facing business will be priced at $40-50 billion. While the original law requires ByteDance to sell the assets by January 19, Donald Trump might potentially extend this deadline when he steps into office.
Kick Joins the Fray
Because of TikTokâs overwhelming popularity, quite a few big companies have expressed interest in acquiring the platformâs US business. Even the famous content creator MrBeast recently joked that he might buy TikTok to unban himself there.
Kick, however, has beaten MrBeast to it, as stated in a post on X. The streaming platform published its letter of intent to purchase TikTokâs US assets on X, highlighting its intention to acquire the social media outlet.
While it is not certain whether Kickâs bid is serious, the audio communication service TeamSpeak addressed the X post, asking to have the included real estate. Kick replied by saying âsaving you nextâ and sharing a letter of intent to purchase TeamSpeak.
Elon Musk Bid Rumors Dismissed by ByteDance
Speaking of X, owner Elon Musk has also been rumored to be interested in a potential buyout, although ByteDance has largely dismissed these rumors as âpure fiction.â
Other potential buyers include Bobby Kotick, the chief executive of Activision Blizzard, and Project Liberty, an internet advocacy group.
Speaking of TikTok, a popular TikTok content creator ugh_madison recently challenged the stay limits in two of Las Vegasâ most expensive buffets. These included the $80 Bacchanal at Caesars and the $75 Buffet at Wynn. While the TikToker appreciated the food and atmosphere, she questioned the stay limits at the buffets.
Ugh_madisonâs overall impressions were good and she praised the waiting staffâs politeness. Â