Potential U.S. Sale and New TikTok App Version:
TikTok App is reportedly developing a new U.S.-specific version of its app, internally called “M2,” set for release around September 5, 2025, ahead of a planned sale to a group of investors. This follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on July 4, 2025, that he has a buyer—a group of “very wealthy people”—for TikTok’s U.S. operations, with their identities to be revealed within weeks. Talks with China, potentially involving President Xi Jinping, are expected to start this week to secure approval for the deal, which is critical due to ByteDance’s Chinese ownership.
Ban Deadline Extensions:
President Donald Trump says there’s a potential TikTok buyer that he will reveal in “about two weeks”https://t.co/pU0iv0ZcGS
— CNN (@CNN) June 29, 2025
Layoffs at TikTok Shop:
TikTok has conducted a third round of layoffs since April 2025 in its U.S. e-commerce division, TikTok Shop, to align with strategic priorities amid challenges in meeting sales targets. Over 100 employees have either left or been fired.
Content Moderation Issues:
TikTok faces criticism for failing to curb racist and antisemitic AI-generated videos, which violate its community guidelines but are reportedly spreading unchecked, some garnering millions of views.
Legal Challenges:
Cultural Trends:
TikTok continues to influence culture, with figures like NFL player Travis Kelce posting viral content, such as a humorous video featuring an Indonesian Boat Racing meme. Additionally, TikTok is promoting trends like storytelling and educational posts to drive engagement.
