<p>It’s 2025, and once again, Microsoft is reportedly eyeing a potential acquisition of TikTok.</p>
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<p>Last year, the U.S. Congress passed a bill demanding that TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, sell its business or shut down. Former President Joe Biden didn’t veto the bill, making it law. When TikTok refused to divest, it went dark briefly before returning with a message thanking President Trump for granting a 90-day extension. However, the app remains unavailable on Google Play and Apple’s App Store due to legal restrictions. In the coming months, TikTok will likely have to shut down or find a new owner.</p>
<p>NPR reports that Microsoft is once again in the running to purchase TikTok. The app has faced global criticism for its addictive algorithm, which fuels echo chambers and extremism. The U.S. has raised national security concerns, citing potential links between TikTok and the Chinese government, while the European Union is investigating its role in spreading extremist and pro-Russian propaganda.</p>
<p>The White House is reportedly exploring options to see Oracle acquire TikTok’s global operations, while ByteDance would retain a minority stake. Microsoft is also involved in discussions, though details on its role remain unclear.</p>
<p>For Microsoft, owning TikTok could mean huge gains, boosting platforms like Windows, Xbox, and Surface. Direct integration between Xbox and TikTok, or a TikTok-style video editor on Windows, could offer new ways to engage consumers. However, Microsoft’s past acquisitions, like Skype, haven’t always panned out, so it remains uncertain whether this deal will come to fruition. Despite this, Microsoft’s Azure powers many of TikTok&#8217;s machine-learning features.</p>