Instagram announces new video app amid TikTok troubles
Instagram announced a new video creation app Sunday amid legal struggles faced in the U.S. by TikTok, another social media platform with a focus on visual content.
“Today we’re announcing Edits, a brand new app for making videos on your phone,” Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in a video posted on the platform.
“Now, there's a lot going on in the world right now, and no matter what happens, we think it's our job to create the most compelling creative tools for those of you who make videos for, not just Instagram, but for platforms out there, as we can,” he added. “And Edits is hoping to do just that.”
On Sunday, a law went into effect requiring TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app or risk being banned in the U.S. Preparing for the ban, the app cut off U.S. access to the platform Saturday just before midnight.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now,” a message read when American users opened the app.
However, on Sunday, TikTok said it was “in the process” of bringing back U.S. service, only around 12 hours after it cut off access to American users.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” TikTok said on the social platform X.
“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,” the app continued.
In his video posted to Instagram on Sunday, Mosseri said Edits is “hoping not just to be an editing tool, but [an] entire full suite of creative tools for those of you who are passionate about … making videos on your phone,” adding later that the there will be a February “launch” of the app.
A description of the new app on the Apple app store states: "Edits is a free video editor that makes it easy for creators to turn their ideas into videos, right on their phone"
The Hill has reached out to TikTok for comment.