TikTok Prepares for a Major Split to Avoid U.S. Ban
TikTok is building a separate version of its app just for users in the United States. This new version will run on its own algorithm and store user data separately from the global version. The move is seen as part of a bigger plan to avoid a potential U.S. ban and prepare for a future sale of the American version of the app.
Why TikTok Is Making a U.S.-Only App
The U.S. government has raised concerns that TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, could share American user data with the Chinese government. Lawmakers passed a bill in 2024 requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. business or face a nationwide ban.
In response, TikTok has launched an internal project called “M2”, aiming to build a new app just for U.S. users by September 2025. This version will work independently and have its own algorithm, AI models, features, and data systems.
How the New App Will Be Different
According to sources close to the project, the new U.S. app will not share its algorithm or user data with the global version. All content recommendations will be based only on U.S. user behavior. That means American users will likely see more content from local creators, and less from international accounts.
The app will not be available for download outside the U.S., similar to Douyin, which is the China-only version of TikTok.
What Happens to Existing Content?
Current videos and user profiles are expected to be moved to the new app, but it’s not clear yet whether global content will be fully available. Since the new system will use only U.S. data for training its algorithm, the kind of content shown may change over time.
This separation could also affect how international creators earn from U.S. viewers, potentially lowering their reach and income from the American audience.
A High-Stakes Technical Mission
For months, TikTok engineers have been working under pressure to transfer the app’s codebase, algorithms, and data systems to the new version. This technical split is one of the most complex in the tech world, especially since TikTok’s global success is heavily based on its smart algorithm.
Some company insiders worry that the U.S.-only algorithm may not perform as well in the long run without the support of ByteDance’s global engineering team.
The Bigger Political Picture
The decision to split TikTok’s operations comes after years of political battles between the U.S. and China. Washington has accused TikTok of being a national security risk, while Beijing has pushed back against U.S. efforts to control Chinese technology companies.
In fact, in 2020, China even updated its export laws to prevent companies from selling or sharing technology like TikTok’s recommendation algorithm. This gives the Chinese government a say in whether such a sale can go through.
Possible Sale and Who Might Own TikTok U.S.
If the new version of the app is approved, it could be sold to a group of American investors. This group includes major names like General Atlantic, KKR, Blackstone, Andreessen Horowitz, and Oracle. ByteDance is expected to keep a small ownership share.
A deal to spin off TikTok’s U.S. business was in progress earlier this year, but China reportedly paused the discussions after tensions increased over new U.S. tariffs.
Former President Donald Trump, who has long pushed for TikTok to be sold, recently said he plans to reopen talks with China to make the deal happen. While he admitted he’s “not confident” about China agreeing to the deal, he added that it could be a “win-win” for both countries.
A Major Change for 170 Million U.S. Users
More than 170 million Americans use TikTok, making the U.S. one of the app’s biggest markets. With the launch of a separate app, these users may see big changes in how the platform works, what content is shown, and how creators engage with them.
The split could also lead to fewer viral trends crossing borders and reduce TikTok’s influence as a global cultural platform.
What’s Next?
With a September deadline, all eyes are on TikTok and ByteDance to see if they can finish building the new U.S. app on time. It’s still unclear whether Beijing will allow the sale, especially if the algorithm is part of the deal.
If the U.S.-only version becomes a success, it could serve as a model for how other global tech companies respond to political pressure and data privacy concerns in different countries.
A Bold Move in a High-Stakes Game
TikTok’s decision to build a separate app for the U.S. is a major shift in how the company operates. It shows how seriously they’re taking the threat of a U.S. ban and how far they’re willing to go to stay in one of their biggest markets. Whether this bold move works out depends on how well the new app performs — and whether both Washington and Beijing can agree on its future.
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