Former Activision CEO Kotick Weighs Bid for TikTok Amid US Ban Threat

Bobby Kotick, the former chief of Activision Blizzard, is reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring TikTok, as the popular video-sharing app faces a potential ban in the United States. According to The Wall Street Journal, Kotick has engaged in discussions with ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, regarding a potential acquisition deal that could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars.

This development coincides with the introduction of a new bill by US lawmakers that would mandate ByteDance to divest TikTok within six months or face a ban from US app stores.

President Joe Biden has indicated his willingness to approve the bill should it successfully pass through Congress.

The Wall Street Journal further reports that Kotick and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discussed a potential collaboration to acquire TikTok during a dinner meeting last week.

Kotick's interest in TikTok surfaces after his departure from Activision Blizzard, which followed Microsoft's acquisition of the company last year. His 30-year tenure was marred by a lawsuit alleging the company fostered a culture of sexual harassment and discrimination under his leadership. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Kotick was aware of instances of misconduct but failed to fully inform the board. While Kotick faced accusations of harassment, Activision Blizzard has dismissed the reports as "misleading."

Concerns regarding data privacy and TikTok's ties to China have fueled the legislative push. President Biden's administration has already banned the app on state devices and voiced support for a broader ban in the US. However, former President Donald Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok, has shifted his stance, arguing that such a ban would benefit TikTok's competitors, such as Facebook and YouTube.

As the bill targeting TikTok gains momentum, the app has urged its American users to advocate on its behalf, prompting them to contact their representatives. The bill, which cleared a committee last week, is anticipated to pass during a House vote on Wednesday. If approved, it will proceed to the Senate for consideration, and ultimately, to the President for signature.