According to an NPR report citing sources, the Donald Trump administration is developing a plan to rescue TikTok by enlisting Oracle and a group of outside investors, including Microsoft, to take over the short-video app. Oracle may control the app's algorithm, data collection, and software updates as part of the reported deal, although TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance is reportedly still holding a minority stake in the business.

According to reports, Oracle executives and White House officials met Friday to discuss the possible deal; another meeting is planned for next week. The deal would allow American investors in TikTok to own the majority of the app. The report does note, though, that the terms of the agreement are still being negotiated.

How much will TikTok sell for?
According to reports, ByteDance believes it could obtain at least $200 billion for TikTok, according to White House negotiators. This could make the app unaffordable for any of the investor consortiums that have been promoting their bids.


In order to comply with a US federal law that mandates its Chinese parent company ByteDance make a "qualified divestiture" of the business in order for the app to continue operating in the US, TikTok was notably taken offline for about 14 hours in the US. Trump gave TikTok an additional seventy-five days to abide by the federal law after taking office on January 20.