By Krystal Hu NEW YORK (Reuters) -TikTok is preparing to launch a standalone app for U.S. users that is expected to operate on a separate algorithm and data system from its global app, laying the groundwork for a potential sale orchestrated by U.

TikTok is facing a fresh European Union privacy investigation into user data sent to China, regulators said Thursday.The Data Protection Commission opened the inquiry as a follow up to a previous investigation that ended earlier this year with a 530 million euro ($620 million) fine after it found the video sharing app put users at risk of spying by allowing remote access their data from China.