The Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok reiterated its refusal to sell its U.S. operations following the Biden administration’s order requiring a sale under threat of a nationwide ban. To comply, developers announced plans to create an app that will operate independently from its Chinese parent company to prevent the leakage of sensitive data.
According to reports, the social media company is set to launch a U.S.-exclusive app based on an independent algorithm and data system, separate from its global operations. This move lays the groundwork for a potential government-backed sale, as sought by the U.S. under Donald Trump’s administration, which has maintained the stance of its predecessor.
The development of the new platform has taken months, with tight deadlines to release the U.S.-specific version as soon as possible. The project involves duplicating TikTok’s codebase and incorporating its AI models, algorithms, features, and user data from the global platform.
If successful, TikTok would have an alternative to continue operating in the U.S. after years of allegations that its parent company, ByteDance, shared its recommendation algorithm with the Chinese government—a key point of contention in the technological rivalry between the two nations.
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According to anonymous employees, this internal project, known as ‘M2,’ has a deadline of September 17 and would mark a new era in operating a single social media platform differently based on geopolitical and international business considerations.
To ensure the privacy of users’ personal data and preferences, the new app is expected to use only U.S. user data to train its recommendation algorithms, completely independent from TikTok’s global systems, according to sources.
While its functionality is similar to Douyin, the version of TikTok used exclusively in mainland China.
This change would also impact 170 million U.S. users who currently access global content, while non-U.S. creators earn money on the platform.
Once implemented, users outside the U.S. will not find the American version in their app stores.
Trump Wants a U.S. Buyer for TikTok
In the U.S., Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that his administration is close to reaching a deal with China for the sale of the social media platform, a key issue in the U.S. election.
During his first term, Trump accused TikTok of using user data to support Beijing’s espionage efforts, leading to threats of a U.S. ban. Under Joe Biden, with congressional support, an order was issued requiring ByteDance to sell its U.S. subsidiary.
Despite some delays, Trump has kept the order in place, though—like his tariff policies—he has repeatedly postponed the deadline for TikTok, now set for September 17.
Last Friday, Trump claimed the deal with China is near: “We’ll discuss it with China on Monday or Tuesday, with President Xi or one of his representatives,” he said. “We’ll probably need China’s approval… but that’s not certain. Either way, it’s a good deal for China and for us.”
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He has also consistently claimed to have a U.S. buyer for the company, referring to “a group of very wealthy people,” though ByteDance and the Chinese government have denied this.
“Without a license, TikTok is worthless,” Trump declared in January. “But with a license, it’s worth hundreds of billions of dollars. So I was thinking we could tell someone to buy it and give half to the U.S. in exchange for a license. The U.S. would be very grateful,” he suggested.
Image: DiarioNY
