As enterprise software giant Oracle tries to become “a trusted technology provider” for the TikTok social media phenomenon, users of the app shared a similar reaction: Oracle, who?
Oracle, the enterprise software company, confirmed Monday that it was part of a high-profile offering for TikTok, which was facing an imminent deadline imposed by the US government to sell. The United States and China have yet to confirm the deal, which does not lead to an actual sale, before it can be completed.
The deal has some industry analysts scratching their heads. Why would a legacy business software company go after TikTok, a social media app popularized by teens that creates viral dance challenges?
The proposed TikTok deal comes just days before President Donald Trump’s Sept. 20 deadline. Citing national security concerns, Trump said that China-based TikTok owner ByteDance needed to sell the app or shut down its operations in the United States. Since then, the application has received offers from large companies such as Microsoft and Walmart, in addition to Oracle. However, the final proposal involving Oracle does not amount to a sale, and it is unclear whether it will be enough to appease the White House or approve a meeting with the Chinese government.
In a statement, Oracle provided some details about the proposed partnership with TikTok. For TikTok, the proposed deal potentially means the company can continue to operate in the US TikTok is also expected to establish a US headquarters, where it would employ 20,000 people. For Oracle, the deal adds a reputable company to its list of “partners.”
Many TikTokers echoed the sentiment. For them, their concern came down to the user experience. They want the app’s algorithms to continue recommending videos based on their interests, to help boost the videos they make and avoid filling their feeds with ads (or presentations for commercial software).
Kathryn Baxter, a 16-year-old from Richardson, said that TikTok is a service she uses to connect with her peers, knowing that she will be able to relate to other people’s videos and not be judged for her responses. He said that if Oracle or any new owner changed TikTok, it would be “great” and could change the organic feeling of community that the app has created.
Billington, who attends school with Baxter, said he would continue to use TikTok regardless of its owner “as long as they don’t change it and convert it to Instagram,” a rival to TikTok. And Dagrella said that as long as TikTok “is there, I am there.”
But some of the TikTok influencers say they know how fickle social media can be. Instead, they use it to expand other projects that help them earn money. They just hope that Oracle, whatever it is, and whatever their deal involves, doesn’t get in their way.
Meanwhile, Cody Orlove said that TikTok helped him build a career and that he doesn’t mind Oracle getting involved. The 19-year-old from Los Angeles posts comedy videos, skits and recreates scenes from Netflix shows. At age 14, he realized that he could earn money from the app and dropped out of high school to pursue the app and other parallel ventures. Orlove has 6.5 million followers and said he made $ 2 million in the last three years.
Although he still regularly uses TikTok, he now also sells merchandise and hangs out with other influencers.
Olivia Ghaussy had an idea of how quickly anyone can build a following on social media. As a result, you know that you will always have a way to reach people who want to follow you, even if TikTok becomes unrecognizable due to any association with Oracle.
