The TikTok logo is seen on the side of the company's office space at the C3 campus in Culver City, in the westside of Los Angeles. – AFPPIXTikTok's prospective buyers are discussing four ways to structure an acquisition from its Chinese owner ByteDance, which include buying its US operations without key software, after Beijing stalled a deal which could be worth US$30 billion , sources said.
"TikTok is loved by 100 million Americans because it's a home for entertainment, self-expression, and connection. We're committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform for many years to come," a TikTok spokeswoman said in a statement. It is not clear which, if any, of the options will be pursued. As days pass, the odds of a deal lengthen as TikTok faces a US ban on Sept 20 if no sale agreement has been reached. It has challenged this ban in court.
A third option is seeking approval from China to pass on TikTok's algorithm to the buyer of its US assets, the sources said. This would amplify the geopolitical risk, given worsening relations between the world's two largest economies over trade, cyber security and the spread of the coronavirus. TikTok is functionally and technically similar to ByteDance-owned Douyin, which is available only in China, and shares technical resources with it and other ByteDance-owned properties, sources have previously said.