ByteDance Exploring Scenarios for Selling TikTok Without Algorithm

ByteDance is internally exploring scenarios for selling a majority stake in TikTok’s U.S. business, preferably to companies outside the tech industry, and without the algorithm that recommends videos to TikTok users, said three people with knowledge of the deliberations.

ByteDance’s internal discussions come as President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law a requirement that TikTok cut its ties with ByteDance within nine to 12 months or face a U.S. ban. TikTok is planning to fight the law in court, the company has said, defending the First Amendment rights of the app’s users. As a backup option in case ByteDance loses the lawsuit, staffers have been plotting out scenarios for the potential divestiture of TikTok.