VIDEO-SHARING platform TikTok may launch a group messaging feature this year, people with knowledge of the discussions said, putting the Chinese-owned app in more direct competition with social media rivals such as Facebook.

Group messaging is part of owner ByteDance’s plan to develop TikTok into more of a “social interactions app,” one of the sources said. The feature has been part of the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, since 2019.

A group chat function would help TikTok keep users on the app longer. TikTok, which is particularly popular with teenagers and young adults, has also been expanding its livestreaming and e-commerce offerings and group chats would enable influencers to more easily connect with fans.

TikTok did not respond to a request for comment.

ByteDance had internal discussions last year about introducing the group chat feature but put many updates on hold after the app came under fire from the Trump administration and was banned in India, a second person said.

It is currently evaluating when and where it will launch group chats on TikTok, the sources said.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s new administration has paused a government lawsuit that could have resulted in a de facto ban on the app’s use in the United States and corporate sponsors have raced back to the service. (SD-Agencies)