Could a new US TikTok app finally solve its potential ban?
A new upcoming US TikTok app might finally put the sell-or-ban talk to bed.
A new TikTok US app on the horizon
A new TikTok app could be coming to US users this September, according to The Information. The move could finally spell the end of the US TikTok saga, which saw its sell-or-ban deadline in the US extended for the third time last month.
How will it work?
The new app will go hand-in-hand with a new US-based buyer, letting the US owners take control of security and data concerts in a US-exclusive app. A group of non-Chinese investors including Oracle will be reportedly taking majority ownership of the US app and TikTok operations, while ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) would still hold a minority stake.
This comes following news that a TikTok buyer has been found in the US, but remains unnamed.
The impact on users
US users will need to switch to the new version of the app when it launches. This date is currently scheduled for September 5th. This comes just ahead of the latest September 17th deadline, despite the current app expected to work until March 2026 anyway.
The US version of TikTok will replace the existing one in app stores, and users will be redirected to update their app if they try to launch the original version. Upon updating, the US-exclusive will replace the older version. As the millions of US users switch across, there are warnings that it could disrupt the service- something that content creators will need to be aware of.
What comes next?
The Chinese government still needs to approve any deal before it is finalised and announced. However, given the current tensions between the US and China over tariffs, it remains unclear as to whether this will arrive any time soon.
Finally, light at the end of the tunnel
If the reports are correct, this could bring an end to the TikTok sell-or-ban saga that has dragged on. Not only will this mean business as usual for users and TikTok creators alike, but it will also provide some much needed reassurance after months of uncertainty.
