Alex Kantrowitz: TikTok Would Rather Shut Down Than Sell to US Buyers

TikTok's Potential Sale and China's Stance

• 💡 Alex Kantrowitz suggests that TikTok would rather shut down in the US than be forced to sell to an American company.
• 📌 This echoes a previous situation where TikTok opted for a shutdown over a sale when faced with a deadline.
• 🎯 China's perspective is that a forced sale would be seen as US bullying, leading them to prefer no TikTok in America over a sale.

Potential Acquirers and Sale Scenarios

• 🚀 Companies like Amazon and Apple may reportedly make bids for TikTok.
• ⚠️ However, Kantrowitz doubts China would agree to a sale, predicting either a shutdown or another extension.
• 🛠️ If a sale were to occur, it would likely be a "stripped-down version" of TikTok, with ByteDance removing the core algorithm.

The Algorithm as a "Crown Jewel"

• 🧠 The TikTok algorithm is considered a key asset that ByteDance would likely withhold in any sale scenario.
• 📈 This is because US companies have not been able to replicate the success of TikTok's app, highlighting the algorithm's value.
• 💬 Kantrowitz believes China would not want to cede control of such a significant consumer application to US hands.