Former Activision CEO Kotick Weighs Bid for TikTok Amid US Ban Threat

Former Activision CEO Eyes TikTok Acquisition Amidst Potential US Ban

Bobby Kotick, the former chief of Activision Blizzard, is reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring TikTok, amidst growing concerns about the app's future in the United States. According to The Wall Street Journal, Kotick has engaged in discussions with ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, regarding a potential acquisition deal that could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars.

This development coincides with the introduction of a new bill by US lawmakers. The bill mandates that ByteDance divest TikTok within a six-month timeframe or face prohibition from US app stores.

President Joe Biden has signaled his approval of the bill, should it successfully pass through Congress.

The Wall Street Journal further reports that Kotick and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, discussed a potential partnership to pursue the TikTok acquisition during a recent dinner.

Kotick's interest in TikTok emerges following the conclusion of his three-decade tenure at the helm of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft last year. During his leadership, the company faced a lawsuit alleging the prevalence of sexual harassment and discrimination. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Kotick was aware of the misconduct and failed to fully disclose it to the board. While Kotick has faced accusations of harassment, Activision Blizzard has refuted the claims, describing the reports as "misleading."

Lawmakers are primarily concerned with data privacy and TikTok's connections to China. The Biden administration has already banned the app on state-issued devices. While former President Donald Trump initially sought to ban TikTok, he has since reversed his stance, suggesting that a ban would primarily benefit TikTok's competitors, such as Facebook and YouTube.

As the bill targeting TikTok gains momentum, the app has urged its American users to advocate on its behalf, prompting them to contact their elected representatives. The bill, which recently passed a committee vote, is anticipated to secure approval during the House vote. If successful, it will proceed to the Senate for consideration, and ultimately, to the President for final enactment.