Microsoft is interested in buying TikTok's UK business in addition to the US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand operations already under discussion, according to a Bloomberg report.
It's unclear whether TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance wants to sell its UK subsidiary, and whether a formal offer will be made for the business, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Microsoft confirms talks to buy TikTok, aims to finish deal by Sept 15
The British government had said in early August that it had no plans to block TikTok in the country.
Last week, the South China Morning Post reported citing people with knowledge of the matter as saying that TikTok had made plans to move its headquarters from the US to London and was awaiting a public statement of support from the British government.
Microsoft is already in talks with ByteDance in an attempt to acquire TikTok's operations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
US President Donald Trump officially ordered TikTok's Chinese owners to sell their US assets on Friday.
Trump extended the time for ByteDance to sell or spin off its US TikTok business from 45 to 90 days in an executive order issued Friday.
This is seen as good news for TikTok and its future in the US. The prior executive order could have forced US based app stores to stop distributing the TikTok app if ByteDance did not reach a deal to divest from it in 45 days.
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