ByteDance, the company behind the popular social media app TikTok, has launched a new direct messaging feature for all its users, PhoneArena reports.
Previously only available to users who followed each other, the feature will now be available to all users as an additional option.
This move is part of TikTok's ongoing efforts to make the app more social and encourage users to share more and connect more easily, though the new feature comes as TikTok faces several legal hurdles.
This feature was initially made available in November 2022 as part of a beta test for a select group of users; however, it is now being made available to all users as another option for messaging.
The New TikTok Direct Messaging Feature
This feature, already available on other popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, enables users to communicate in private.
Instead of only being able to send direct messages to friends, TikTok users will be able to DM anyone who has made their inbox public. In addition, the feature will enable users to have better conversations with others.
According to 9to5Mac, users can continue to receive messages only from mutual followers or mutual followers and recommended friends.
The feature will rely on synced contacts or Facebook friends in this case. TikTok hopes that by introducing this new feature, more users will share videos with others directly on the app rather than on another social network.
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Legal Hurdles
TikTok is positioning itself as the ultimate social network with this new feature, offering a plethora of features and tools that allow users to connect, share, and create content.
Despite TikTok's efforts to expand its features and user base, the company faces several challenges that could significantly impact its future growth.
The looming threat of bans in the United States and the European Union is a major challenge for TikTok. This comes after the company admitted to spying on journalists last year.
Because TikTok has over 1.53 billion users, with 1 billion of those being monthly active users, the potential bans could significantly impact social networks as a whole.
This presents a major issue for TikTok because it stands to lose a sizeable portion of its user base and advertising and revenue sources.
The company is aware of this and has been working to ease the worries of lawmakers and regulators in both the US and the EU.
In order to safeguard the personal information of its customers, the company has also been working to enhance data privacy and security measures.
TikTok Spying on Journalists
According to an internal email, TikTok has acknowledged using its app to spy on journalists in an effort to find their sources, as The Guardian reported back in December 2022.
Employees of ByteDance had access to the information and used it to follow the reporters' physical movements. Chris Lepitak, the company's chief internal auditor, was fired for leading the team involved in the operation, and Song Ye, his manager in China, resigned.
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