By Kayla DeKraker
TikTok may trade one questionable owner for another. The Chinese-based app has received bids from potential buyers, including Tim Stokely, founder of sexually explicit platform OnlyFans.
Stokely left OnlyFans in 2021 and now owns social media start up Zoop, which “rewards both creators and their community members for their engagement,” per Variety.
TikTok’s future has been up in the air for nearly a year following then President Joe Biden’s executive order to ban the app in the United States, citing national security concerns. The ban was supposed to go into effect on his last day in office, Jan. 19, but Donald Trump lifted it temporarily, extending its deadline to April 5.
By April 5, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance was supposed to either divest TikTok or it would be banned in the United States. Numerous potential buyers have tossed their hats in the ring, including the Only Fans founder.
We know that the website he created is pornographic and destructive. It’s questionable what would happen if a man who supports OnlyFans is put in charge of TikTok.
Stokely isn’t the only one with hopes to purchase the app. The New York Times reported that Amazon submitted an offer addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. There is speculation, however, that those involved are likely not “taking Amazon’s bid seriously.”
Variety reported that others who have bid for the app include Frank McCourt, former owner of L.A. Dodgers, Perplexity and AppLovin.
But April 5 has come and gone, and President Trump has once again extended the ByteDance’s divest-or-ban deadline.
“My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress,” he posted on Truth Social.
He continued, “I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days. We hope to continue working in Good Faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs.”
Related: Will the TikTok Ban Finally Go Ahead?
He added that he is hopeful to come into an agreement where TikTok can be a safe app that is available in the USA.
TikTok’s safety has been called into question for many reasons.
In addition to allowing questionable and harmful content available to children on the app, it is also highly addictive. Kentucky authorities revealed that “In under 35 minutes, an average user is likely to become addicted to the platform.” Additionally, “A presentation shown to top company officials revealed that an estimated 95% of smartphone users under 17 used TikTok at least once a month.”
Regarding national security, US lawmakers worry that the Chinese government could pressure ByteDance into handing over Americans’ data or manipulate its algorithm to spread propaganda, American University reported.
It remains to be seen what will happen to TikTok. But hopefully, Stokely’s bid for the platform doesn’t progress.
Read Next: How Do Americans Really Feel About the TikTok Ban?
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