• by Colin Kirkland , July 7, 2025

Following President Donald Trump’s third motion to postpone the ban of TikTok in the U.S., the ByteDance-owned video-sharing company is developing a new version of its app strictly for American users, with a new group of buyers in mind, according to The Information.

“The company has developed a plan to launch the new TikTok app, known internally as 'M2,' to U.S. app stores on September 5,” The Information reported over the weekend, adding that users would have to download the new app to continue using the service.

However, the current app will be accessible until March 2026.

The report also notes that there is a group of investors expected to finalize a deal regarding the takeover of TikTok's U.S. operations. Over the past year, Trump has teased deals with potential investors, including Oracle, which is included in the new consortium of non-Chinese investors mentioned by The Information.

Oracle's first attempt to buy TikTok, which failed to properly address national security risks, also revolved around a plan to build an updated version of TikTok specific to the U.S. that “would not contain a back door that China's government could exploit.”

User data privacy is a key focus included in the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which demands that foreign-owned entities do not own more than 20% of the app, and do not possess direction or control over the platform.

ByteDance would be expected to keep a minority stake in the U.S. version of TikTok if the Chinese government approves the deal. 

Last week, Trump announced on Fox News that the White House was in talks with a group of “very wealthy people” interested in buying TikTok, adding that Chinese President Xi Jinping would “probably” approve the deal. 

Aside from Oracle, the identities of the other investors have yet to be disclosed. 

If a deal does not materialize, the most recent executive order will continue to push the deadline to sell or ban the app in the U.S. until September 17.