Technology
TikTok to take on WhatsApp with ‘new GROUP chat feature later this year’
TIKTOK is considering launching a group chat feature that could rival WhatsApp, according to inside sources.
It’s rumoured that TikTok is working towards becoming more of a “social interactions app”.
TikTok could take on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger with the feature[/caption]
According to Reuters, “people with knowledge of the discussions” told the news outlet about the potential plans.
Reuters said the sources did not wish to be identified because they shouldn’t be speaking to the media.
We have reached out to TikTok for comment.
A group chat feature has been avaliable on the Chinese version of TikTok, called Douyin, since 2019.
Sources told Reuters about the plans[/caption]
The ByteDance owned app could roll this feature out globally if it wants to keep more people on the app for longer.
Reports suggest ByteDance had discussions about the group chat feature last year.
However, the TikTok owner was said to put some features on hold due to battles with the Trump administration over spying fears.
TikTok was also banned in India last year after the Indian government accused it of using data illegally.
Reuters’ sources said ByteDance had to take all this into consideration and is reevaluating when to launch a group chat feature.
One source claimed the chats would likely be unencrypted.
That could work in WhatsApp favour though as lots of people flock to the service for the security of end-to-end encryption.
TikTok: Brief guide to the world’s most downloaded app
- TikTok lets users create and share short videos with music and camera effects
- The hit app is best known for short dance videos, lip-syncing clips, comedy sketches, and talent footage
- It is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, founded by the entrepreneur Zhang Yiming
- The $200billion conglomerate acquired the Musical.ly app in 2017 and merged it with TikTok, bringing millions of new users
- By February 2019, TikTok and Douyin had been downloaded more than a billion times
- It was the most-downloaded app on the App Store in 2018 and 2019
- Cyber experts have expressed concern over ByteDance’s alleged links to the Chinese government
- The Department of Defense has urged its employees to avoid using the app over national security concerns
- TikTok says it does not and would not share user data with the Chinese government
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In other news, Instagram will soon start using artificial intelligence to stop adults messaging teenagers that don’t follow them.
Google is under fire for harvesting internet data of users browsing in Incognito Mode.
And, WhatsApp will block older iPhones with its new update.
Are you a big TikTok user? Let us know in the comments…
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