TikTok remains one of the top news amid political tensions and speculation on its future in the US. Recently, there has been renewed talk regarding potential acquisitions and investments made in TikTok, particularly after the 75-day extension of the ban on the app during Trump's administration.
But perhaps one of the longest-running rumors on TikTok's future, Apple's involvement, has finally been put to rest by a leading analyst.
The End of Apple-TikTok Acquisition Speculation
Apple analyst Mark Gurman, a well-known expert on the subject, has explained that Apple will not invest in or buy TikTok. In his Power On! newsletter, Gurman explained that there is no possible situation where Apple would get involved in TikTok, either through investment, a full-fledged acquisition, or something else.
According to him, "There is no obvious scenario in which Apple gets involved in TikTok, whether that's an investment, full-blown acquisition, or something else."
Gurman's remarks highlight Apple's wish to distance itself from possibly controversial players, especially TikTok, increasingly entangled in political discourse and criticism over concerns of security issues.
In short, the Cupertino giant would not want to have its image linked to a platform that has drawn so much controversy.
The Political and Business Landscape of TikTok
While the political facet of TikTok in the U.S. has bred controversy, concerning its ownership, Gurman maintains this facet by itself would not be sufficient to compel Apple to make an acquisition.
Others have speculated that a transaction with TikTok might bolster Apple's ties to the existing administration, especially given its enduring examination of the company. But Gurman is adamant, stating that owning TikTok would certainly get more teens on the Apple platform, but that won't happen.
Apple's conservative stance on TikTok also fits with its larger plan to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible, particularly since the company has recently come under public criticism for possible tariff-related price increases.
According to Digital Trends, the company is already a magnet for media attention, and entering into the fray with a politically sensitive platform like TikTok could fuel the situation.
Potential Alternatives to an Apple-TikTok Deal
With Apple out of the equation, the fate of the TikTok acquisition now appears to rest with other prospective buyers.
Prospective buyers such as OnlyFans, Oracle, and even YouTube personality Mr. Beast have been proposed as potential buyers or investors in the TikTok bidding war.
Meanwhile, other sites are following the TikTok model. Substack, for example, has just launched a scrollable video feed like TikTok's. Meanwhile, alternatives such as RedNote, while less popular, still provide features similar to TikTok's video-sharing features.
No Apple-TikTok Deal in Sight
For the moment, it appears that Apple's dealings with TikTok are speculative only. While other firms might continue to look into the potential acquisition of the app, Apple has indicated that it will not become involved.
Originally published on Tech Times
