The widely-used video-sharing platform TikTok remains accessible to users in the US due to an executive order issued by President Trump in early 2025, which postponed the impending ban on the Chinese application. Trump has renewed this delay on two additional occasions since then, with the latest extension occurring just a few weeks ago.
TikTok continues to be at risk of a ban under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, with a new deadline established for mid-September when the current extension will end unless it adheres to the law.
A recent report reveals that ByteDance, the Chinese conglomerate that owns TikTok, is devising a strategy to avert the app’s prohibition in the US. This strategy includes launching a completely new TikTok application for American users, which will host data on US servers. The novel TikTok version will be owned by a US entity, with ByteDance retaining a minority share in the new firm.
The new TikTok app
As reported by The Information (via MacRumors), TikTok has been developing a fresh version of the app in anticipation of a probable sale in the US.
Named M2, the new TikTok app will be specifically for the US market. It will differ from the existing international TikTok version, referred to internally as “M.”
TikTok M will be taken down from US app stores on September 5, coinciding with the release of TikTok M2. American users will need to download the new app from digital marketplaces and will likely have to transfer their data to the updated version.
This is not the first instance of news regarding TikTok’s intention to create a distinct version of the app for the US audience. Reuters reported in late May 2024 that TikTok was working on a US-exclusive version of the app in light of the imminent ban.
