Instagram is reportedly exploring the idea of launching its short-form video feature, Reels, as a standalone app, as uncertainty looms over the future of TikTok in the US.
According to a report by The Information, Instagram head Adam Mosseri informed staff about the potential move this week. The publication cited a source who was present during the discussion. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has yet to respond to a request for comment from the BBC. Reports Technology News
The development comes as TikTok faces ongoing scrutiny in the US. In January, former President Donald Trump granted the platform a 75-day extension to comply with a law signed by President Joe Biden, which requires either a sale of the company or a ban on its operations in the country.
At the time, Trump suggested a potential joint venture, proposing a 50-50 partnership between “the United States” and TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance. However, he did not provide further details on how such a deal would be structured.
The Biden administration has expressed concerns that TikTok, which has approximately 170 million users in the US, could be leveraged by China for espionage or political influence. Meanwhile, critics of a potential ban argue that shutting down the platform would infringe on freedom of speech.
Meta has previously attempted to challenge TikTok’s dominance in the short-video space. In 2018, the company launched a standalone app called Lasso, but it was later discontinued.
