AppLovin proposes acquisition of TikTok's global operations excluding China

AppLovin, a digital advertising platform, has announced its preliminary bid to acquire TikTok's operations in all markets outside of China. The move comes ahead of the April 5 deadline set by US President Donald Trump for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer, amid ongoing security concerns over its ties to China.
In a regulatory filing, AppLovin confirmed its interest in exploring the acquisition of TikTok's non-China assets. The company emphasised that the bid is preliminary and there is no guarantee that a transaction will proceed. AppLovin's proposal adds to the growing list of bidders, including Amazon and a consortium led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely.
Analysts suggest that acquiring TikTok could significantly bolster AppLovin's position as a global advertising powerhouse. However, the deal faces regulatory and geopolitical complexities, with US officials scrutinising TikTok's ownership by Chinese company ByteDance. TikTok and ByteDance have consistently denied allegations of security risks.
"The addition of TikTok could accelerate AppLovin's transition into a global advertising powerhouse, but regulatory and geopolitical complexities remain a critical variable for investors," said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital.
The future of TikTok has been uncertain since a 2024 law required ByteDance to divest its US operations. President Trump extended the deadline earlier this year, allowing TikTok to continue operating temporarily while negotiations unfold. The app, used by nearly half of all Americans, remains a focal point in US-China relations.
With agency inputs