Facebook is testing its Reels feature with select users in India, just days after the Indian government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps citing security concerns, reports Business Insider.
Reels allows users to create and edit TikTok-style short video clips up to 15 seconds to which they can lip-sync with music or other audio and share it on their Instagram stories or their user profiles.
The feature was launched in Brazil in November last year and was expanded to newer markets like Germany and France last month. This development also comes on heels of Facebook shutting down its TikTok clone Lasso about a year and a half after its launch.
“We’re planning to start testing an updated version of Reels in more countries. Reels is a fun, creative way for people to both express themselves and be entertained. We’re excited to bring this new version to more of our global community. No further plans to share on launch date or countries for now,” a Facebook spokesperson told the publication.
Following the ban of TikTok, India’s short video apps like Chingari, Roposo, Mitron, and Bolo Indya are witnessing an unprecedented demand as people are looking for alternative apps. This has also led to the entry of several new players like ShareChat’s Moj and Zee5’s HiPi over the past month.
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