Audio By Carbonatix
Microsoft said Sunday night that the Chinese owner of social media app TikTok rejected their bid to take control of the firm's U.S. operations, leaving Oracle as the last publicly known remaining bidder.
President Trump issued an executive order in August that directed ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, to sell off its U.S. arm or cease operations in the country within 90 days, citing national security issues.
"ByteDance let us know today they would not be selling TikTok's U.S. operations to Microsoft," Microsoft said in a statement.
"We are confident our proposal would have been good for TikTok's users while protecting national security interests."
The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday night that Oracle, founded by Trump ally Larry Ellison, had won the bid.
Oracle is one of the few Silicon Valley firms willing to ally with Mr. Trump.
The deal falling through is likely to be a hit for tech giant Microsoft.
The company's shares rose nearly 6%, or $11.53, in August when news of the possible acquisition was made public.
That's a $95 billion boost to Microsoft, which has had a number of lackluster deals in recent years.
Mr. Trump's August 6 executive order banned transactions with the Beijing-based ByteDance or its subsidiaries.
Mr Trump also signed a similar order that same day targeting another social media and messaging app, WeChat, which is owned by Tencent Holdings, another Chinese company, charging that the app captures personal information belonging to Chinese nationals visiting the U.S., allowing the Chinese government to track them.
In an August 14 follow-up order, Mr Trump ordered ByteDance to sell its U.S. based TikTok assets within 90 days.
TikTok filed a lawsuit on August 24 in California against the Trump administration, saying it is not a national security threat and the government is acting to "further the president's anti-China political campaign."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in July that the U.S. was "looking at" banning TikTok and other Chinese social media apps. India has already banned TikTok.
ByteDance has denied providing any help to the Chinese government.
"TikTok U.S. user data is stored in the US, with strict controls on employee access," a spokesperson said in a statement in August. "TikTok's biggest investors come from the U.S."
TikTok's U.S. revenue alone is expected to reach $500 million this year, according to The Information.
That's 10 times the $50 million it generated in 2019 when the U.S. accounted for just 20% of its business, Barron's noted.
The social media app, which allows users to share short videos, is particularly popular among young people.
Latest Stories
-
Over 2,000 residents connected to rural telephony network in Bole District
17 minutes -
‘I used to sell kerosene’ – Dr Adutwum reflects on childhood hustle
26 minutes -
A new chapter for Africa’s malaria response through accountability and sovereignty
27 minutes -
For every generation, vaccines work — Securing Africa’s health future
28 minutes -
I started farming at a young age – Dr Osei Adutwum reveals
30 minutes -
Two arrested in Kintampo with suspected cannabis worth over GH¢100,000
33 minutes -
My younger brother sacrificed his only pig so I could go to school – Dr Adutwum
34 minutes -
‘I was the first to go to secondary school in my family’ – Dr Adutwum
41 minutes -
‘Ghana is ready for business’- Ambassador Victor Smith courts Pacific Northwest investors at Ghana@69 Gala in Seattle
47 minutes -
GoldBod CEO tours royal Ghana Gold Refinery ahead of refining services partnership
1 hour -
Institute a Grid Expansion Levy now
1 hour -
Tru-Reset4Growth: Why Ghana must adopt “Big Pushcas” now and revive; The NIB-Nestle Equity Model
1 hour -
UGCFL26 WEEK 9: Wilmar snatch late winner as Ghana Airports earn first victory
1 hour -
Claire’s closes all 154 stores in UK and Ireland with loss of 1,300 jobs
2 hours -
What Is Wrong with Us? When We Build with Pride but Maintain with Neglect
2 hours