In a surprise maneuver that’s sending shockwaves through Silicon Valley and beyond, Adam Foroughi, the co-founder and CEO of mobile advertising juggernaut AppLovin, has submitted a formal bid to acquire TikTok’s international operations. If successful, it would represent one of the most consequential tech acquisitions of the decade, positioning AppLovin at the intersection of entertainment, AI, and mobile monetization on a global scale.
While regulatory firestorms and geopolitical tensions have engulfed TikTok’s fate, Foroughi’s calculated, low-profile approach signals a quiet power move—one that could redefine the global content economy and elevate AppLovin into a new tech titan.
The Bid Heard Round the World
Sources close to the negotiations confirm that Foroughi’s offer, submitted earlier this quarter, focuses on acquiring TikTok’s operations outside of China, including the United States, Canada, the UK, India, Australia, and several parts of Europe and Latin America. The offer reportedly values the asset at north of $85 billion, making it one of the largest M&A bids in social media history.
What makes this even more remarkable is that AppLovin, founded in 2012 as a mobile app marketing platform, is not a household name. But it quietly dominates the mobile ecosystem, powering user acquisition, ad revenue, and monetization strategies for thousands of apps globally. Under Foroughi’s leadership, AppLovin has become a silent infrastructure layer of the mobile economy—serving over 2 billion daily active users indirectly across gaming, social, and commerce.
With this move, Foroughi is stepping out from behind the curtain and into the public spotlight.
Why TikTok? Why Now?
Foroughi’s interest in TikTok is neither whimsical nor opportunistic. It’s strategic.
TikTok’s future remains uncertain amid escalating geopolitical concerns and mounting regulatory pressure, particularly from U.S. and European lawmakers who have raised concerns over data privacy, content moderation, and Chinese ownership via ByteDance.
Faced with the prospect of divestiture—or even shutdown—in some Western markets, ByteDance has quietly opened the door to buyers who can stabilize TikTok’s presence while maintaining its growth and influence.
AppLovin is uniquely positioned to do just that.
Synergies: AdTech Meets Attention Economy
At first glance, a mobile adtech company acquiring the world’s leading short-form video platform may seem like a mismatch. But industry insiders argue that the synergies are profound:
- AppLovin’s AdTech Engine: Could supercharge TikTok’s monetization capabilities, creating more efficient, personalized, and profitable ad experiences.
- Creator Economy Tools: AppLovin’s software suite could be adapted to provide creators with real-time analytics, revenue optimization, and gamified engagement tools.
- User Acquisition Mastery: With its deep expertise in performance marketing, AppLovin could bring TikTok’s user growth and re-engagement strategies to new heights.
- Gaming Integration: AppLovin owns several mobile gaming studios and networks. With TikTok’s role in game discovery expanding, cross-platform integration is inevitable.
According to one analyst, “This isn’t just a bid for TikTok. It’s a bid for owning digital attention in the mobile age.”
Foroughi’s Philosophy: Underpromise, Overdeliver
Born to Iranian immigrants and a former options trader, Adam Foroughi is known for his low-key persona, analytical mind, and relentless focus on execution. While others in tech chase headlines and venture capital, Foroughi has always preferred sustainable growth and lean operations.
AppLovin’s IPO in 2021 was one of the biggest in the mobile space, but Foroughi continued to avoid the limelight. Internally, he is known as a “builder’s CEO”—someone who prioritizes infrastructure, product optimization, and long-term profitability over PR and press coverage.
This TikTok play, however, could bring an entirely new level of attention.
Regulatory Minefield Ahead
Despite the strategic fit, any acquisition of TikTok will face immense regulatory scrutiny. Governments around the world are unlikely to approve a deal without guarantees around data localization, content transparency, and user safety.
Foroughi’s advantage? He doesn’t come from Big Tech royalty like Meta or Google, which may help sidestep antitrust roadblocks. AppLovin has no direct social media product, meaning the acquisition wouldn’t eliminate competition—but instead create a hybrid category that blends adtech with creator-first media.
Still, regulatory observers warn that the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), the European Commission, and India’s Ministry of Electronics & IT will demand ironclad commitments before greenlighting any deal.
AppLovin has already reportedly assembled a task force of former FTC, CFIUS, and cybersecurity officials to navigate the legal terrain.
What ByteDance Stands to Gain
From ByteDance’s perspective, AppLovin offers something other bidders may not: alignment without ego.
Unlike Apple or Microsoft—both rumored to have quietly explored TikTok bids—AppLovin doesn’t compete in search, devices, or cloud infrastructure. That means TikTok’s core algorithm and user experience could remain intact, while benefiting from AppLovin’s infrastructure support.
Additionally, AppLovin may be more open to revenue-sharing structures, allowing ByteDance to retain some upside while reducing political friction.
Insiders suggest that a “structured separation” deal could allow ByteDance to maintain the China-facing version of TikTok (Douyin) while spinning off international operations under new governance.