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Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations

businessinsider.com

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Re: Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations

#11

Post by SV_BubbleTime »

I’m sure people have better takes on it than I do... seems to me like data mining service became more popular than anyone would have ever guessed but..

Damn BusinessInsider... showing me a popup over the article on mobile saying:

> Sorry for the wait. We’re experiencing tremendous demand right now. The page will reload in 30 seconds and you will then get a chance to buy your access.

... after the article was already fully loaded. That’s some serious anti-consumer dark pattern bullshit.

Re: Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations

#14

Post by Lammy »

> Gasparino also reported the White House is "deeply concerned" about Microsoft's potential purchase and whether any Chinese investors would retain a stake in TikTok's US operations, citing unnamed sources.

And there's the lede. Consider this "story in two headlines" from an earlier high-profile Microsoft acquisition:

"NSA offering 'billions' for Skype eavesdrop solution" https://www.theregister.com/2009/02/12/nsa_offers_billions_f...

"Microsoft Buys Skype for $8.5 Billion. Why, Exactly?" https://www.wired.com/2011/05/microsoft-buys-skype-2/

Re: Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations

#15

Post by mensetmanusman »

Hopefully it will be rebranded MikMok or ZuneZok.

This seems like a dumb move, why would MS want to get tied up in the horrors of social media when they have such a profitable empire.

They couldn’t possibly tie in MicMok to Office 365 and have anything good come from it.

Re: Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations

#16

Post by adventured »

riffic wrote: post #3

Microsoft's ownership is a kiss of death. See: WebTV, Skype, Yammer, Hotmail, Groove, Danger, et cetera. The kids will always move on to something else.

> Microsoft's ownership is a kiss of death.

Strategically the only thing that matters is that TikTok is removed from foreign ownership and that that weak spot in US Internet dominance is removed, so the US can resume global hegemony over platforms (outside of China).

Microsoft generates enough cash every year to safely buy a TikTok annually.

The US Government is probably throwing Microsoft a wink on this one. Despite generating $53 billion pear year in operating income and still having a desktop monopoly, Microsoft was excluded from the recent government grilling.

Maybe Microsoft will get a nice Azure contract in return.

In a year or a few, Microsoft IPOs TikTok or works with private equity to shift its ownership and then Microsoft washes their hands of it, taking a small bath in the process (if they can pull an IPO fast enough, given this market, maybe even making some money on the deal). Sometimes you gotta do a favor for Uncle Sam.

Re: Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations

#18

Post by nickthegreek »

riffic wrote: post #3

Microsoft's ownership is a kiss of death. See: WebTV, Skype, Yammer, Hotmail, Groove, Danger, et cetera. The kids will always move on to something else.

Disagree, this would give MS a strong foothold in social media that the next generation is flocking too.

Re: Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations

#19

Post by bigpumpkin »

km3r wrote: post #8

How does an international app separate its operations enough to have a full distinct US operation? Will they be able to see post from someone in Canada? in China? Will China be able to see post from US users? Seems like something that needs to be all or nothing.

You make another Douyin, but for the US only, call it Musicaly, with US data sovereignty and censorship. Creators from outside the US can make an account on it and reach American audiences. But Americans can no longer use the international version of Tiktok.

Re: Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations

#20

Post by hyperdimension »

mensetmanusman wrote: post #15

Hopefully it will be rebranded MikMok or ZuneZok. This seems like a dumb move, why would MS want to get tied up in the horrors of social media when they have such a profitable empire. They couldn’t possibly tie in MicMok to Office 365 and have anything good come from it.

"Microsoft (R) Passport Live TikTok.NET 2020 Datacenter Edition, part of the Windows Live Social Dynamics suite"
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