So maybe TikTok isn’t building a U.S.-only version of its app, as part of its efforts to remain in America following the forced sell-off of the platform.
Or maybe it is. Seems a little unclear at this stage.
Earlier in the week, Reuters reported that TikTok is currently in the midst of developing a standalone version of the app for U.S. users, which is expected to “operate on a separate algorithm and data system” from the main TikTok app.
The U.S.-only version of TikTok, which according to Reuters is being referred to as “M2,” would utilize a replicated and customized version of the app’s codebase, including a revised algorithm. The reports on M2, according to Reuters, are based on feedback on the project from TikTok staff.
But now, three days after the initial report, TikTok has published a short statement that refutes the report. Kind of.
As per TikTok:
“The recently posted Reuters story, which is based on anonymous uninformed sources, is factually inaccurate.”
That’s the only explanation TikTok has provided, so it’s unclear if TikTok is saying that the whole report is untrue, or if the detail is incorrect.
Either way, I’m not sure why it bothered to reignite the story at all, by responding to it days after the fact, nor which elements TikTok has taken exception with. But it seems that TikTok may not be developing a U.S.-only version of the app after all.
Or maybe it is, but the specific details are different.
My assumption would be that the White House has raised concerns about the story, and the suggestion that TikTok may be creating a different version of the app, which will then be part of its sell-off discussions. Maybe that’s rankled government negotiators, who would prefer to get TikTok as is, which is why TikTok has sought to correct the record on this front.
But it also hasn’t corrected the record, or clarified its stance. It’s just saying that there are errors of fact in the report, which includes a range of details about the project, and any one of those elements could be what TikTok is referring to.
We’ve asked TikTok for more specific info on its statement, but haven’t heard back at the time of publication.
So maybe, TikTok isn’t developing a separate U.S.-only app, or maybe it is, but some elements are different.
I guess we’ll find out soon, with TikTok’s extended sell-off deadline ending in a couple of months.
