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TikTok to Launch Standalone US App in Effort to Satisfy Government Demands

By  |  July 9, 2025

TikTok is preparing to launch a separate application for U.S. users, a move seen as part of a broader strategy to comply with U.S. government demands and pave the way for a potential sale, according to Reuters.

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    The new app, being developed under the internal codename “M2,” will reportedly feature a fully distinct algorithm and data infrastructure from TikTok’s global platform, current employees told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The effort reflects growing efforts to insulate U.S. user data and operations from the broader ByteDance ecosystem, amid escalating scrutiny over national security concerns.

    Per Reuters, the company has been racing against a September deadline to replicate its existing codebase—including artificial intelligence models, core algorithms, platform features, and vast user data—exclusively for the American market. The initiative marks the most significant technical split yet between TikTok’s U.S. business and its international counterpart.

    If successful, this separation could address longstanding fears in Washington that TikTok’s Chinese ownership might lead to U.S. user data being accessed by foreign entities. The app’s recommendation engine—widely considered the platform’s “crown jewel”—has been at the heart of these concerns, and its reengineering for U.S. users is seen as a key concession to lawmakers.

    Related: Trump Says TikTok Deal Talks With China to Begin Early Next Week

    According to Reuters, the newly developed U.S. app is modeled to function similarly to Douyin, the China-only version of TikTok. It will not appear in international app stores and will rely solely on domestic user data to train its algorithms. This means American users will be recommended primarily U.S.-origin content, potentially altering how global creators reach audiences and monetize their presence.

    Though existing content will reportedly carry over to the new platform, Reuters notes uncertainty remains around how much new international content will be accessible to U.S. users once the change takes effect. With roughly 170 million Americans on TikTok, the shift could significantly impact user experience and creator engagement across borders.

    The Information was the first to report on the planned launch, but technical specifics—such as the separation of AI systems and user data—were disclosed in detail by Reuters for the first time.

    Source: Reuters