Tiktok gives users new ways of interacting with others through direct messages (DMS), the company told TechCrunch on Friday. Users will now be able to send voice notes and share up to nine images or videos in one-to-one and group talks on the platform.
With these new features, Tiktok places itself as more than just an entertainment platform, with the aim of becoming a place where users are regularly interacting beyond the simple mission of Tiktok videos. In addition, new features bring Tiktok’s messaging experience more according to other popular social applications and services.
With vocal notes, users can record and send acoustic messages for up to 60 seconds. The launch of the feature comes as services like WhatsApp, Instagram and Apple messages are already offering the ability to send voice notes to others via DMS.
It makes sense for Tiktok to add voice notes to his DMS, especially as a growing number of people, particularly gen zembrace the form of communication.
The operation is released in the coming weeks, says Tiktok.
As for sharing photos and videos, users can either take a photo or video with their camera or choose one of their camera roll to share it with others. They can also choose to process the content before sending it.
For users’ safety, people cannot send a picture or video as their initial message request. For example, if your messages for the first time, they can’t send a photo or video they have taken. They can only share content already in Tiktok.
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In addition, when one chooses to send a photo or video, Tiktok will remind them to protect their privacy and be aware of who send this content.
While the DMS in Tiktok is not available to users under 16, the company adds protection for users between 16 and 18 years. For example, Tiktok has automated systems for detecting and blocking images containing naked. This means that the sender will be blocked by the mission of the naked image and the receiver will not see the image at all.
Users over the age of 18 may choose to change this security feature in their application settings.
Tiktok sees new features as a way for users express themselves and connect with others in ways they are already used to.
The move comes as Tiktok works to build the messaging product. Last year, the platform started group talks, enabling users to talk to up to 32 people at the same time. Tiktok has also recently recently put rooms creator, a special space for their creators and fans to connect and interact with each other.
