Tue. 01/14 – Could Elon Buy TikTok?

Jan 14, 2025 16m

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Break out your 2025 headline bingo cards. Did you have Elon Musk maybe buying TikTok on there? You’re a better bingo player than I am. Is the EU going to back off Tech in the Trump era? More layoffs come to Meta. The big streaming sports play that isn’t gonna happen now. And why is Barcelona a hub for spyware companies?

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Links:

China Weighs Sale of TikTok US to Musk as a Possible Option (Bloomberg)
EU reassesses tech probes into Apple, Google and Meta (Financial Times)
Meta to Cut Roughly 5% of Staff, Targeting Lowest Performers (Bloomberg)
Databricks Inks $5 Billion of Private Credit, Bank Funding (Bloomberg)
Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox Pull the Plug on Venu Sports Streaming Venture (THR)
Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery call off plans to launch Venu sports streaming service (CNBC)
How Barcelona became an unlikely hub for spyware startups (TechCrunch)

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AI-Generated Summary

Elon Musk and TikTok: A Potential Deal?

The podcast opens with a sensational question: could Elon Musk buy TikTok? As reported by Bloomberg, discussions are ongoing among Chinese officials about the possible acquisition of TikTok's U.S. operations by Musk. This proposal is intriguing given Musk's prior support for Trump and the potential impact on TikTok's unprecedented audience in the U.S., which could enhance Musk’s other ventures such as X (formerly Twitter) and his AI company, XAI. However, the situation is complex, as TikTok has denied any discussions regarding a sale, while Chinese administration debates the implications of such a shift.

EU's Tech Regulation Review

The second major theme examines the unfolding landscape for U.S. tech giants under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). With Trump’s return on the horizon, there are speculations about a potential easing of aggressive EU interventions against American firms like Apple, Meta, and Google. The EU claims no review is happening, yet the podcast highlights efforts by U.S. companies to appeal for leniency, indicating a strategic pause on ongoing investigations as politicians reassess their regulatory stance.

Meta's Layoffs and Performance Management

In a notable shift, Meta is planning performance-based layoffs affecting approximately 5% of its workforce. CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized a new strategy to quickly manage out lower performers, a move reflecting a culture of high expectations amidst a challenging market. This announcement comes as Meta faces scrutiny over its workforce management practices and the effectiveness of its existing policies.

Venu Sports Streaming Venture Collapses

The podcast shifts gears to some sports streaming news, revealing that Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery decided to cancel their collaborative streaming venture, Venu. This marks a significant moment in sports media, as the initial aim was to create a sports-centric Netflix-like platform. Instead, the companies will focus on their existing streaming products, a change spurred by legal challenges and the evolving market landscape.

Barcelona: A New Hub for Spyware Companies?

Finally, the discussion turns to the emergence of Barcelona as an unexpected center for spyware startups. The city’s appealing climate and culture have attracted several exploit-makers and cybersecurity innovators, raising concerns among digital rights advocates. This development highlights a broader trend that places the focus on European’s challenging relationship with surveillance technologies, particularly as cities like Barcelona grow in prominence in this controversial industry.