Instagram considers independent reels app amid TikTok uncertainty - Reports

Whispers within Meta suggest Instagram is contemplating spinning off its popular Reels feature into a distinct application, a move that comes against a backdrop of ongoing regulatory challenges for TikTok in the United States.

Insiders familiar with the situation, as reported by The Information, indicate that Instagram's chief, Adam Mosseri, recently addressed staff about the possibility. This potential shift is being viewed as a strategic maneuver to solidify Instagram's position in the short-form video arena, especially as TikTok's operational status in the U.S. remains ambiguous.

Meta has yet to release an official statement regarding the reported discussions.

The consideration of an independent Reels app surfaces amid heightened national security concerns surrounding TikTok. The app's Chinese ownership and widespread user base in the U.S. have fueled anxieties about potential data misuse and foreign influence. Recent extensions granted to TikTok to comply with U.S. laws highlight the ongoing tension.

While a complete ban of TikTok faces resistance on free speech grounds, the prevailing uncertainty has spurred rival platforms to reassess their strategies. Meta's past attempt to launch a TikTok competitor, Lasso, which was subsequently shut down, suggests a persistent interest in capturing the short-form video market. A dedicated Reels app would represent a renewed effort to capitalize on this trend.