Elon Musk in talks to buy TikTok in the US as the video streaming app is banned on national security grounds
China is exploring a possible sale of TikTok’s US operations to Elon Musk for up to £41 billion.
The social media platform, which has more than 2 billion users worldwide, is being banned in America for national security reasons.
Beijing is discussing a scenario in which Musk’s social media company
The report estimated the value of TikTok’s US operations at between £32 billion and £41 billion.
Although Musk is the richest person in the world, it is unclear how he would buy TikTok, or whether he would have to sell other assets to do so.
TikTok has said it “cannot be expected to comment on pure fiction.”
Takeover: Elon Musk could buy TikTok’s US operations through his social media company
The US government passed a law last year requiring Byte Dance to sell or close the platform. It comes into effect on Sunday – one day before Donald Trump takes office.
The US government claims that TikTok allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users and is a channel to spread propaganda.
China and Byte Dance strongly deny the claims. TikTok’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court began last week.
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