Deadline Approaches: AppLovin Expresses Interest in Purchasing TikTok

As the deadline approaches for a potential ban on TikTok in the United States, digital advertising platform AppLovin has emerged as the latest company to show interest in acquiring the popular social media platform. In a formal filing, AppLovin indicated that it has conveyed its interest to President Donald Trump to explore a purchase of TikTok in markets outside of China.

AppLovin’s Preliminary Interest and Recent Market Performance

AppLovin’s interest in TikTok is still at a preliminary stage, and the company has cautioned that there is no guarantee of a transaction. Despite having seen its stock soar by 260% over the past year, AppLovin’s shares have experienced a downturn, dropping 19.1% so far in 2025. The company has faced scrutiny from short-sellers who have raised questions about its e-commerce operations. In response to these allegations, AppLovin asserted that the accusations are “littered with inaccuracies and false assertions.”

Other Bidders in the Mix

AppLovin is not the only entity vying for TikTok. On April 3, 2025, the New York Times reported that e-commerce giant Amazon had made a bid for the platform. Additionally, a company led by the founder of the adult-content site OnlyFans is also in the running, aiming to acquire the popular video-sharing application. Furthermore, tech giant Oracle Corporation, which already provides cloud services to TikTok, has been identified as a potential bidder as well.

Background on TikTok’s Ownership and U.S. Regulatory Landscape

TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. Amid rising security concerns surrounding the app, U.S. lawmakers passed a measure last year aimed at either banning or forcing the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations by January 2025. This led to a crucial extension of the deadline by the Trump administration, allowing potential non-Chinese buyers until April 5, 2025, to conclude any agreements.

The Geopolitical Context

The ongoing interest in TikTok has broader implications for U.S.-China relations, which are characterized by numerous complex factors that need to be navigated carefully. Financial analysts like Dan Ives from Wedbush have noted that TikTok represents one of the first major “chips on the poker table” in these geopolitical discussions. This dynamic adds a level of complexity to the acquisition process and serves as a litmus test for future interactions between the two countries, particularly under the Trump administration.

Future Implications

As the April 5 deadline looms, the race to acquire TikTok represents not only a pivotal moment for AppLovin and other potential buyers but also serves as a significant indicator of the evolving relationship between the U.S. and China. Should a deal go through successfully, it could reshape the landscape of social media and digital advertising both within and outside of the Chinese ecosystem.

While AppLovin’s interest reflects its ambitions to incorporate TikTok’s widespread reach into its business portfolio, the outcome is still uncertain. Stakeholders will be watching closely as the deadline approaches, speculating whether AppLovin or any of the other suitors will emerge victorious in what has turned into a high-stakes game of acquisition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the interest from AppLovin and other firms highlights the competitive nature of the tech market and the strategic importance of social media platforms like TikTok. As parties prepare for the imminent deadline to conclude negotiations, the future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance, raising questions about its operational structure and ownership in a high-stakes environment ultimately shaped by geopolitical factors.