Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Eyes TikTok Acquisition Amid Regulatory Pressure
Amid regulatory pressures and the looming threat of a potential ban or forced sale of TikTok in the United States, Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the popular social media platform.
According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, Kotick broached the idea of partnering on a TikTok purchase during a conference dinner last week, where he engaged with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other attendees. Additionally, Kotick reportedly discussed the matter with ByteDance Executive Chair Zhang Yiming.
If TikTok were to be sold, it’s speculated that the deal could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars, reflecting the app’s immense value in the digital landscape.
Kotick’s interest in TikTok arises following his departure from Activision Blizzard, a company he helmed for over three decades. His tenure ended amidst controversies, including lawsuits alleging pay discrimination and employee unrest, with demands for his resignation in 2021.
The timing of Kotick’s potential bid coincides with the introduction of the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” which seeks to compel ByteDance to divest TikTok within six months or face removal from US app stores. President Biden has indicated his willingness to sign the bill if it passes.
As TikTok mobilizes its user base to oppose the legislation, concerns about data privacy and ties to China persist among lawmakers. However, Kotick’s involvement in a potential acquisition, particularly in collaboration with Altman and OpenAI, raises additional questions about the app’s future use for AI training purposes, potentially impacting user experiences.
Amidst these developments, TikTok’s fate remains uncertain, pending legislative action and potential corporate maneuvers by interested parties like Kotick.
