Instagram is said to be weighing the option of introducing its short-video feature, Reels, as a standalone app. The decision was being considered internally by Instagram chief Adam Mosseri this week, according to a report by The Information, which quoted a person familiar with the situation.

Instagram's parent firm, Meta, has not publicly confirmed the report but would be a notable change in its strategy for short-form video content if it were true. This follows as TikTok, controlled by Chinese tech powerhouse ByteDance, is facing mounting pressure from U.S. lawmakers for national security reasons.

In January, U.S. President Donald Trump gave TikTok a 75-day grace period to meet with legislation signed into law by the then President Joe Biden. The legislation calls for either a sale of TikTok's U.S. operation or a ban. Trump previously indicated a 50-50 joint venture between U.S. companies and ByteDance, but he did not offer specifics on how such an arrangement would function.

As TikTok's operations in the U.S. teeter on the brink, Instagram might view the chance to build Reels as a powerhouse within the short-video space. The feature, which debuted in 2020, has been Meta's main challenger to TikTok. A standalone Reels app would allow Meta greater control over its growth and engagement strategies.

This wouldn’t be the first time Meta has tried to compete directly with TikTok. In 2018, the company launched a standalone app called Lasso, which was later shut down due to low adoption. However, with Reels already integrated into Instagram and enjoying significant traction, a dedicated app could have better chances of success.

The Biden administration has maintained that TikTok, with 170 million American users, may be used for spying and political manipulation by the Chinese government. On the other hand, opponents of a ban say it would violate free speech protections.

If Instagram proceeds with a separate Reels app, it would represent a major shake-up in the world of social media, particularly as TikTok struggles to hold on to its share in the U.S. 

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