When word spread last year that Microsoft was interested in acquiring the popular social networking app TikTok, a lot of people from the technology sector were confused. What was the connection between Microsoft, which earns the majority of its money selling productivity software and services, and a social media platform like TikTok?
Trump tried to make Microsoft buy TikTok says Satya Nadella
Although Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella didn’t offer an explanation at the time, a year later he said it makes sense when you consider three of Microsoft’s biggest purchases since he became CEO seven years ago. Minecraft in 2014, LinkedIn in 2016 and GitHub in 2018; each of these actions was about building a community, he mentioned.
When TikTok became interested in Microsoft’s work on child safety and efforts to develop a better community on its Xbox video game console, Satya Nadella welcomed the opportunity. “That gave us permission,” he stated in an interview.
But then, the deal has become a high stakes drama between TikTok and whatever US company was potentially going to spend the money to buy the popular social media.
Donald Trump worked on the agreement in secret and made public statements
Then, Donald Trump worked on the agreement in secret and made public statements, including a demand for an unlawful finder’s fee if the transaction went through. Next, Walmart and Oracle got involved too.
“It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever sort of worked on,” Nadella stated. But that was all back before the 2020 presidential election, and just as quickly as the drama began, it pretty much dropped off. When asked about his encounters with the president, Nadella refused to provide specifics.
Nadella claims he has no knowledge of what’s going on with the deal these days. During the spring, reports said that Microsoft was attempting to acquire Discord for around $10 billion. That agreement failed, however.
