Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been linked to the popular Chinese video-sharing app TikTok for a number of years now, often mentioned in the same breath as his company’s alleged attempts to acquire it. But does Mark Zuckerberg actually own TikTok?
Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook did attempt to purchase the app in 2020, but failed in their efforts when ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant which owns the app, refused their offer.
Firstly, it is important to understand why Facebook was interested in buying TikTok in the first place. The app is currently the world’s most popular social media platform, with an estimated 800 million monthly active users. It is therefore no surprise that Zuckerberg wanted to get his hands on the app, as it would instantly make his own social media platform, Facebook, the biggest in the world.
In addition, researchers and analysts believe that TikTok’s success can be largely attributed to its algorithm, which is able to suggest content to users based on their interests. This algorithm is extremely valuable to Zuckerberg and Facebook, as it can be used to create more personalized experiences for their users, thus retaining them and engaging them more.
However, despite Zuckerberg’s attempts to acquire TikTok, the deal never came to fruition as the Chinese government refused Facebook’s offer on the grounds that it goes against the country’s strict anti-monopoly laws. With that in mind, it is safe to say that Mark Zuckerberg does not own TikTok.
How does TikTok make its money?
TikTok is free to use and available on multiple mobile platforms. As such, it does not charge its users anything for the service it provides. Instead, the app generates its revenue primarily through in-app purchases and advertisements.
In-app purchases include virtual currency, gifts, additional content, and stickers that can be used to express emotions or post comments on a user’s posted videos. Advertisements include sponsored posts, product placements, and pre-roll or mid-roll ads that are inserted in videos.
The app has also started selling merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs and phone cases, as well as offering virtual events and endorsements. This additional revenue stream is helping the company to monetize its content and reach more users.
TikTok has also recently launched its own music streaming service, taking advantage of the app’s extensive video library. This allows users to license music for their videos and monetize them.
Possible Impacts of Mark Zuckerberg owning TikTok
If Mark Zuckerberg were to actually own TikTok, this would undoubtedly lead to some changes in the way the app works. For starters, there is a chance that Facebook could integrate the app with its own social network, allowing both to share content and users.
This could lead to a much more cohesive experience for users, as they could post content on both platforms and have it available to a much larger audience. Furthermore, the combined userbase of both platforms could lead to a much larger pool of advertisers, allowing the company access to more data and revenue.
However, this could also be bad news for users, as integrating the two platforms could lead to a vast amount of data being collected and stored by Facebook, a move which could be seen as a violation of user privacy.
Moreover, given the decisive action of the Chinese government in rejecting Zuckerberg’s offer to buy TikTok, it is highly doubtful that he would ever be allowed to own the app. Furthermore, the app has already been banned in India and has been flagged for security concerns in a number of other countries.
Why did Zuckerberg want to buy TikTok?
Mark Zuckerberg has been eyeing the hugely successful Chinese video-sharing app TikTok for a number of years, so much so that his company, Facebook, attempted to buy the app in 2020.
This is because, as the world’s most popular social media platform, with an estimated 800 million monthly active users, it would instantly make Facebook the biggest in the world. If Zuckerberg was able to acquire the app, it is speculated that he would be able to use its algorithm to create more personalized experiences for Facebook’s users.
It is also worth mentioning that Zuckerberg would gain access to an extensive video library of users’ video creations. However, despite his best efforts to purchase the app, the Chinese government refused Facebook’s offer on the grounds that it goes against the country’s strict anti-monopoly laws.
Is Facebook a monopoly?
It is argued that Facebook, with its vast array of products and services, has become a monopoly. This is due to the fact that the company has been able to acquire a large number of other companies, such as Instagram and WhatsApp, over the years and has used its market power to control the industry.
Furthermore, Facebook’s influence and control over the technology industry has caused it to come under scrutiny from both government and regulators. Since the company’s acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp, authorities have been taking an increasingly hard line against the company in order to ensure that competition is not stifled.
Ultimately, this leaves us with the question of whether Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook own TikTok as the answer is quite clearly no, due to the Chinese government’s strict anti-monopoly laws.
Does Facebook own other apps?
Apart from its own social network, Facebook owns a number of other apps and platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus and the messaging app Messenger.
Facebook also owns a number of experimental projects, such as its artificial intelligence lab, or FAIR, which develops tools such as language processing, image processing and machine learning to aid the advancement of artificial intelligence.
In addition, the company has invested in a number of smaller startups and media outlets such as the Giphy, which enables users to search and share GIFs on the web, and the news aggregation platform News Feed which collates stories and articles.
Facebook also has plans to enter the streaming service arena with its subscription based service Facebook Watch. This, however, has yet to launch, although it is expected to in the coming months.
What will happen to TikTok?
TikTok, despite being banned in some countries, is still massively popular among young people and continues to be one of the most-used apps in the world.
Given the Chinese government’s refusal to let Facebook buy the app, it is unlikely that Mark Zuckerberg will ever own TikTok. This means that the app will continue to operate independently, and its future is still uncertain.
However, the app’s parent company ByteDance is looking to capitalize on the app’s popularity while they still can, with plans to develop and release a new streaming service, giving users access to exclusive content.
It is likely that, in the future, TikTok will evolve and expand, eventually transitioning from a simple video-sharing platform to a global media powerhouse.
Is Facebook a threat to privacy?
Facebook’s ability to collect and store vast amounts of data on its users has led to it being seen as a threat to privacy by many. The company has been accused of using user data for targeted advertising purposes, as well as selling it to third parties. This has sparked a worldwide outcry about the company’s actions and has led to calls for tighter regulations on the tech giant.
In addition, Facebook’s plans to acquire TikTok also raised questions about the app’s security and user privacy, as the two companies have quite different approaches when it comes to handling user data.
Facebook has also been criticized for its handling of hate speech, fake news and political adverts, prompting many governments to call for tighter regulations and laws to protect user privacy.
Ultimately, Facebook’s position as a tech giant and its attempts to acquire apps such as TikTok have made it a target for criticism over its user privacy practices and has led to calls for tighter regulations.
Does Mark Zuckerberg control the web?
Mark Zuckerberg’s influence and power over the technology industry certainly makes it seem as though he controls the web. However, this is not the case, as Zuckerberg can only control what is on his own platform, Facebook.
Though he certainly has the financial means to buy up other companies and consolidate his power, he is still limited by law and regulations and there are numerous checks and balances in place to prevent him from monopolizing the industry.
In addition, Zuckerberg’s influence over the web is constantly being challenged by other tech giants such as Google, Amazon and Apple. These companies have their own platforms and products which compete with Facebook’s, thus ensuring that the web remains open and free from monopolization.
Ultimately, Mark Zuckerberg does not control the web, but his actions and decisions still have a huge impact on it and his own company has a vast amount of power and influence.
