Reliance Can Buy TikTok’s India Operations? ByteDance In Talks With Reliance For Investment!

This is one of the most interesting twists to have happened in India’s online video market.

Reliance, India’s biggest, most powerful corporate behemoth is in talks to possibly buy TikTok’s India’s operations.

If this happens, then TikTok will be relaunched in India, and TikTok will be able to protect it’s 2nd biggest market in the world.

What are the possibilities?

Reliance Can Buy TikTok’s Indian Operations

As per unconfirmed reports coming in, Reliance is in early talks with ByteDance for a possible investment in their company for owning a stake in TikTok.

The reports mention that ByteDance is now open to sell TikTok’s Indian operations to Reliance, and thereby survive in India.

If Reliance indeed acquires TikTok’s Indian operations, then it will definitely make a comeback in India.

In June this year, Indian Govt banned 50+ Chinese apps on accusations of data theft, users’ privacy and more.

TikTok was one among them. With 20 crore users in India alone, the ban of TikTok created ripples as India was their 2nd biggest market.

Interestingly, ByteDance, owners of Tiktok employes around 2000 employees in India, and they have not been fired, with a hope that maybe they will be able to convince Indian Govt to lift the ban and/or sell their Indian operations.

And this is where Reliance comes into the picture.

What Can Happen If Reliance Buys TikTok India?

TikTok’s Indian operations are valued at around $2 billion, and talks between Reliance and ByteDance had started last month.

Reportedly, TikTok will suffer Rs 45,000 crore loss due to the ban.

As per unnamed sources, talks are still on, and no final deal has been reached.

But in case the talks are fruitful, and a deal is reached, then Reliance will be more than happy to tap into 20 crore+ users of TikTok, and relaunch the app in India with Indian ownership, and a ready-made platform to expand their reach.

On the other hand TikTok is also facing a possible ban in the US, as President Trump has provided them deadline till September 15th: Either sell or shut down.

Microsoft is in talks with ByteDance for a possible acquisition of their US operations, but no final deal has been chalked out.

We will keep you updated, as more details come in. 

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