After cloning features from Snapchat, the social media giant Facebook has now launched a new service called Lasso, which aims to take on the likes of TikTok that lets users create fun, short videos. This is the company’s latest attempt to win over teens.
Last month it has reported that the company was building an application called Lasso to help people share short videos with soundtraks, similar to the likes of TikTok. For those who are unaware, TikTok has been a sensation in Asian markets. It is a viral 15-second video app that recently merged with Musical.ly.
A Facebook spokesperson has confirmed that the company has launched a new app named Lasso which is available in iOS and Android. However, the service is currently available in the United States. Describing the service, the company said:
Lasso is a new standalone app for short-form, entertaining videos — from comedy to beauty to fitness and more. We’re excited about the potential here, and we’ll be gathering feedback from people and creators.
While Lasso was released under the Facebook umbrella, the company launched it informally and with relatively little fanfare via a tweet from a product manager on the team.
Lasso centers around an algorithmic feed of recommended videos, but also lets you tap through hashtags or a Browse page of themed collections. Currently, there are no augmented reality effects or filters, but users can use features like slo-mo and fast-forward recording to make fun clips.
It is to be seen what the company has planned to tackle the issue of inappropriate underage content, which has become a big problem on platforms like TikTok (Musical.ly), Kwai, Clip, etc. Such content flaunts the U.S. COPPA child protection laws. While Lasso includes a report button, it’s to be seen where Facebook will draw the line.
In a relative news, the company has recently expanded its dating features, dubbed Facebook Dating, to Canada and Thailand to take on the likes of Tinder and Bumble.
