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9h ago

TikTok to Launch U.S.-Only M2 App as Divestiture Deal Nears Completion

It aims to satisfy U.S. security requirements by cutting data ties to ByteDance ahead of a sale awaiting Chinese government approval.

FILE - The TikTok app logo is shown on an iPhone on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Image
SUQIAN, CHINA - MARCH 27: In this photo illustration, the logo of TikTok is displayed on a smartphone screen on March 27, 2025 in Suqian, Jiangsu Province of China. US President Donald Trump announced on April 4 that he will again postpone enforcement of the TikTok sale-or-ban law for 75 days. (Photo by VCG/VCG via AP )

Overview

  • TikTok is building a U.S.-exclusive version of its app, codenamed M2, set to debut in American app stores on September 5, 2025.
  • The existing TikTok client will remain operational for U.S. users until March 2026, allowing 170 million accounts time to transition to M2.
  • ByteDance’s sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a consortium led by Oracle is close to finalization, with the Chinese government’s sign-off as the remaining condition.
  • The M2 rollout is being structured to comply with the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act by ensuring data storage and code ownership rest with U.S. entities.
  • If ByteDance fails to complete the divestiture by the September 17 deadline, the original TikTok app faces a nationwide ban under the law.