Instagram considers standalone Reels app to take on TikTok - report - Voice of Asia

Reportedly, given the uncertain future of TikTok, owned by a Chinese company, in the United States, Instagram is considering launching its short-video feature, Reels, as a standalone application. This move is seen as a strategy to counter TikTok's uncertainty in the U.S. market and capitalize on potential opportunities.

According to The Information, a technology industry business publication, citing sources familiar with the matter, Instagram head Adam Mosseri mentioned this potential move to employees this week. This news indicates that Meta is actively exploring various possibilities in the short-video space and adapting to the evolving competitive landscape.

Instagram's parent company, Meta, did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment. Currently, Meta's official stance remains unclear, and the future direction of this potential strategy is still under observation, pending further developments.

In January, U.S. President Trump approved a 75-day extension for TikTok to comply with a law signed by then-President Biden, which required the sale or ban of the platform. Previously, Trump had suggested the possibility of forming a joint venture, seeking a 50-50 partnership between "America" and its Chinese owner, ByteDance, but did not provide further details. The U.S. government has been concerned that TikTok could be used by China as a tool for espionage and political manipulation, despite the platform having 170 million users in the United States.

Those opposing the ban argue for maintaining the platform's openness on the grounds of freedom of speech. Previously, Meta launched a standalone application called Lasso in 2018, aimed at competing with TikTok, but it was later shut down. This demonstrates that Meta's exploration in the short-video field has not been without its challenges, requiring continuous innovation and adaptation.