Our reporter
In response to TikTok’s ongoing legal struggles in the United States, Instagram has launched a new video creation app, ‘Edits’, offering users an enhanced suite of tools for mobile video production.
The announcement was made by Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, in a video posted to the platform on Sunday.
Mosseri addressed the timing of the launch amid the turbulence surrounding TikTok, particularly in light of recent US legislation that demands the app’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, divest its stake in the platform or face a potential ban. “We think it’s our job to provide the most compelling creative tools for video makers, not just on Instagram, but for all platforms,” Mosseri stated. He expressed confidence that the new app, Edits, would meet this challenge, positioning itself as more than just an editing tool, but as a comprehensive suite designed for creators.
On Sunday, a new law came into effect in the United States mandating that TikTok’s parent company divest its interests in the platform. Just before midnight on Saturday, TikTok responded by cutting off access to American users. A notification within the app informed users of the ban: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
Despite the sudden disruption, TikTok issued a statement on Sunday saying it was working to restore service in the US. “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company posted on social media. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
Meanwhile, Instagram’s new app, Edits, is set to be launched in February. According to a description on the Apple App Store, the app is described as a free video editor that enables creators to transform their ideas into fully realised videos directly from their phones.
Mosseri’s video indicated that Edits aims to empower creators across a variety of platforms, reinforcing Instagram’s commitment to providing robust tools for digital content production. The launch of Edits is likely to stir further competition between Instagram and TikTok, as both platforms continue to capture the attention of video creators worldwide.
At the time of writing, TikTok has not responded to requests for comment.
