WASHINGTON (Kashmir English): TikTok is reportedly working on a new version of its app specifically for the United States, as the company prepares for a possible sale of its U.S. operations. The move comes amid increasing political and legal pressure from the U.S. government, which has raised concerns over data privacy and national security due to TikTok’s Chinese ownership under ByteDance.
According to reports, this new version of TikTok is expected to launch in the U.S. app stores by September 5. Current users will still be able to use the existing app until March next year, but this timeline may change depending on the outcome of negotiations and legal proceedings.
The decision to create a separate version of TikTok follows ongoing talks between the United States and China. President Donald Trump recently stated that discussions with China regarding the app’s sale would begin soon and claimed that a deal is “pretty much” in place.
Last month, Trump extended to September 17 a deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the US assets of TikTok.
The report added that TikTok users will eventually have to download the new app to be able to continue using the service, although the existing app will work until March of next year, though the timeline could change.
A deal had been in the works earlier this year to spin off US operations into a new US-based firm, majority-owned and operated by American investors. That was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve it following Trump’s announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese goods.
Trump said the United States will probably have to get a deal approved by China.
