Amidst growing legislative pressure and potential acquisition talks, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is reportedly considering a venture involving TikTok. Kotick is said to be in discussions with ByteDance’s Zhang Yiming and OpenAI’s Sam Altman regarding this potential deal.
The proposed acquisition comes as US lawmakers push for legislation that could require TikTok to be sold to a US-based entity. Kotick’s interest in TikTok was revealed during a dinner conversation with Altman at the Sun Valley conference last week.
If the legislation passes, TikTok’s value could soar into the hundreds of billions of dollars. However, TikTok representatives have raised concerns about the practicality and implications of such a sale to a US entity, potentially impacting the app’s global reach.
Kotick’s ambitions with TikTok face regulatory hurdles amidst concerns about user data privacy due to the app’s Chinese ownership. Additionally, controversy surrounds Kotick’s legacy at Activision, where he was implicated in handling claims of sexual harassment and misconduct within the company.
As the discussions unfold and legislative decisions loom, the future of TikTok and Bobby Kotick’s potential involvement remain uncertain. With varying perspectives and challenges at play, the outcome of these developments will shape the landscape of the tech industry and digital platforms moving forward.
