Instagram Considers New App for Reels
Instagram is reportedly considering launching a separate app for Reels, its short-form video feature, as TikTok faces increasing pressure in the United States. According to The Information, Meta, Instagram's parent company, sees an opportunity to attract users looking for an alternative short-video platform.
History of Standalone Apps
Meta has a history of launching standalone apps to rival competitors. In January, it introduced Edits, a video-editing app to compete with ByteDance's CapCut. Previously, Meta launched Lasso in 2018 to take on TikTok, but the app was shut down in 2020 due to low adoption. More recently, Meta introduced Threads to compete with Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter).
With TikTok at risk of being banned in the US, Meta appears ready to capitalize on the situation. Instagram's chief Adam Mosseri has reportedly discussed launching a dedicated Reels app, which could help Instagram dominate the short-video market if TikTok is forced out.
US Government Concerns
The US government has long accused TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, of having ties to the Chinese government and posing a national security threat. Authorities claim TikTok collects sensitive user data, including location and phone records, which could be accessed by Chinese officials.
Legislation and Ban
To address these concerns, US lawmakers passed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations. ByteDance has challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. However, the US officially banned TikTok on January 19, 2025, after the court upheld the legislation.
A day after the ban, President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day reprieve, delaying its enforcement until April 2025. This gives ByteDance time to sell its US business or implement security measures to satisfy American regulators. In response, TikTok has started restructuring, including laying off members of its global trust and safety team.
