TikTok Begins Testing Instagram Competitor 'TikTok Notes' in Canada, Australia

By Leira Aquino

Apr 20, 2024 12:39 AM EDT

TikTok Now Targeted by FTC Over Data and Security Practices
TikTok rolls out a new app called TikTok Notes in Canada and Australia for limited testing.
(Photo : Photo Illustration by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

TikTok, the popular social media platform, has introduced a new app called TikTok Notes, marking its entry into the photo and text sharing space, a realm traditionally dominated by platforms like Instagram. 

The app is currently undergoing testing in Canada and Australia and is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, The Canadian Press reported.

TikTok Expands Experimentation with New Photo, Text Sharing App

According to TikTok, this move is part of its ongoing experimentation with different content formats.

 "We're in the early stages of experimenting with a dedicated space for photo and text content with TikTok Notes," TikTok wrote in a post

The app is designed to provide users with a platform to share their moments through photo posts, share travel tips, daily recipes, and more.

While details about the app's features and functionality are still sparse, screenshots from the App Store listing reveal insights into how it operates. 

Users can log in using their existing TikTok accounts, and the interface appears to feature two-column grids on the home page for posts. Additionally, users can create carousel posts with multiple photos.

READ NEXT: ByteDance Investors Could Stand to Gain in TikTok Sale, US Lawmaker Claims

TikTok Notes Launches Amidst Intense Social Media Competition

TikTok's venture into this space comes at a time when competition in the social media market is fierce, particularly with Meta's suite of apps like Instagram and Threads.

 The new app, TikTok Notes, is seen as a direct competitor to Instagram, offering a similar platform for photo and text content sharing.

This move also comes amidst ongoing concerns surrounding TikTok's ownership and data handling practices. 

With ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, based in Beijing, there have been regulatory pressures in various countries, including the United States and Canada. 

These concerns revolve around data privacy and security due to Chinese laws that require companies to cooperate with government intelligence gathering.

READ MORE: House Votes Overwhelmingly to Ban TikTok in US Unless Chinese Parent Company ByteDance Sells Stake

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