A New Bid for TikTok from Perplexity AI Would Give the US Government a 50% Stake - Slashdot
Jan 27, 2025 - tech.slashdot.org
An anonymous source has revealed that Perplexity AI has proposed a plan to merge with TikTok's U.S. business, allowing the U.S. government to own up to 50% of the new entity. This ownership would be contingent upon an initial public offering of at least $300 billion. The proposal, revised based on feedback from the Trump administration, specifies that the government's shares would be non-voting and would not grant a board seat.
The plan allows ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to maintain ties with TikTok while ensuring full U.S. board control. However, TikTok's U.S. operations would be contributed without the proprietary algorithm that determines user content. This arrangement aims to address national security concerns while providing a favorable outcome for ByteDance's investors.
Key takeaways:
Perplexity AI proposed a merger with TikTok's U.S. business, allowing the U.S. government to own up to 50% of the new entity.
The U.S. government's shares would not have voting power, and it would not get a seat on the company's board.
ByteDance would retain some ties with TikTok but must allow full U.S. board control.
The proposal excludes TikTok's proprietary algorithm from the U.S. business contribution.
