Tiktok is preparing to launch an autonomous application for US users, which is expected to operate with a separate algorithm and database from its global application, laying the groundwork for a possible sale, according to Reuters sources.

During the last few months, Tiktok employees worked under strict deadlines to create a new, special US version of Tiktok, transferring and copying the application code – including AI models, algorithms, features and users – who asked for anonymity.

This move could open the door to resolve the multi -year debate over whether the company will share what is considered the ornament of its crown – the algorithm of recommendations that supplies Chinese ownership platform, which has been at the center of the US -China -China.

ByTedance and Tiktok refused to comment.

The new application

The initiative, known internally as “M2”, could be the biggest technical rupture between Tiktok’s activities in the US and its international activities. Change is expected to affect the way 170 million users in the US have access to global content and how non -American creators make money on the platform.

The new application only for the US is designed to operate independently, similar to Douyin – the Tiktok version available exclusively in mainland China. Users outside the US will not find the American version in their App Store, sources said.

While current content is expected to be transferred to the new application, it remains unclear to what extent the new content from Tiktok’s global applications will be integrated into the American version. The new application is expected to use only data from US users to train algorithms, further removing it from Tiktok’s global systems, sources add. As a result, most users will recommend content within the US.