Oracle and Microsoft are reportedly in talks with the White House to take over the China-based TikTok app, reported NPR.
The deal would allow ByteDance, which currently owns TikTok, to keep a minority stake in the social media app while Oracle will oversee the app's algorithm, data collection, and software updates.
President Donald Trump on Monday directed the Justice Department to pause enforcement of the TikTok ban until early April, but a host of questions remain — including whether Trump has the authority to issue such an order and whether TikTok's China-based parent would be amenable to selling the popular social media platform.
Under a federal law that was upheld by the Supreme Court last week, TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, was required to sell the platform to an approved buyer by Sunday or face a nationwide ban.
On Saturday evening, a few hours before the ban took effect, TikTok became unusable for U.S. users. But it came back online on Sunday, with TikTok crediting Trump for helping the platform after he vowed on social media to stall the ban.
Officials from Oracle met with the White House on Friday about a potential deal, and another meeting has been scheduled for next week, according to a person who spoke with NPR.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.