MrBeast Has Had Billionaires Reach Out to Him About Buying TikTok

Summary

• MrBeast's expressed interest in saving TikTok from a US ban has sparked discussions among a group of billionaires about a potential acquisition.
• TikTok's sale is complicated by ByteDance's reluctance and potential Chinese government intervention, despite ongoing negotiations.
• Data-sharing concerns with China fueled the US ban, but the feasibility of a US-based takeover remains uncertain.

MrBeast's unexpected interest in saving TikTok from a US ban has ignited a flurry of activity. The popular YouTuber publicly mused about purchasing the app to prevent its shutdown, initially perceived by some as a jest. However, subsequent tweets revealed that several billionaires have contacted him, exploring the feasibility of this ambitious undertaking. With a looming deadline, the pressure is mounting to find a solution to prevent TikTok's potential ban.

TikTok's immense popularity has unfortunately become entangled with concerns regarding its data security and potential ties to the Chinese government. This led President Biden to sign a bill in April 2024, mandating either a shutdown of US operations or a sale of the US portion of the business to a US entity. While ByteDance initially showed some openness to a sale, recent indications suggest a shift in their stance. The approaching deadline has intensified discussions about alternative solutions to avert the ban.

Could MrBeast Actually Save TikTok?

Theoretically, a US-based entity controlling TikTok's US operations could circumvent the ban. The core concern revolves around potential data sharing with the Chinese government and the risk of misinformation campaigns, including allegations of data harvesting from minors, as cited by the DOJ. However, the biggest hurdle remains ByteDance's willingness to sell.

Despite discussions about a potential buyout, the outcome remains uncertain. ByteDance's lawyer, Noel Francisco, has reportedly stated that the app is not for sale and that any sale attempts might face obstacles from the Chinese government. While ByteDance previously considered a sale to avoid a ban, this position appears to have changed. The prospect of MrBeast and a consortium of billionaires acquiring TikTok is intriguing, but ultimately hinges on securing ByteDance's—and potentially the Chinese government's—agreement.