Microsoft nears big bet on TikTok after risky LinkedIn deal shows promise

TikTok would make Microsoft relevant among both young engineers looking for a hip place to work and advertisers clamouring for alternatives to Facebook and Google. — Bloomberg

OAKLAND, California: Microsoft Corp’s potential acquisition of short-video app TikTok carries myriad risks, thrusting it into the politically fraught social media business and Sino-US conflict amid increased scrutiny of big-tech companies.

But the deal could help Microsoft build on its US$27bil (RM114.06bil) purchase of LinkedIn to become a bigger player in Internet advertising now dominated by Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google.