Activision's Ex-CEO Kotick Eyes TikTok Takeover Amid U.S. Ban Threat

Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, is reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring TikTok, amidst growing concerns and potential bans 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. The deal could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars.

This development arises as U.S. lawmakers propose new legislation mandating ByteDance to divest TikTok within six months or face prohibition from U.S. app stores. President Joe Biden has indicated his willingness to approve the bill should it pass Congress.

The Wall Street Journal further reports that Kotick and OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, discussed a potential partnership to acquire TikTok during a recent dinner.

Kotick's interest in TikTok emerges following his departure after 30 years at the helm of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft last year. During his tenure, the company faced allegations of fostering a culture of sexual harassment and discrimination. Reports also suggested Kotick was aware of misconduct but failed to fully inform the board. While Kotick faced personal accusations, Activision Blizzard has refuted the claims as "misleading."

Lawmakers are primarily concerned about data privacy and TikTok's ties to China. The Biden administration has already banned the app on state devices. While President Biden supports a broader ban, former President Donald Trump has reversed his stance, arguing that a ban would benefit TikTok's competitors, such as Facebook and YouTube.

As the bill gains momentum, TikTok has mobilized its American user base to voice their opposition, prompting them to contact their representatives. The bill, having cleared a committee last week, is anticipated to pass the House vote on Wednesday before proceeding to the Senate and ultimately, the President's desk for final approval.