Image via Alexander Shatov/Unsplash
Meta has confirmed that it is internally prototyping a new Instagram feature called Candid Challenges. The idea seems strangely similar to a recent social media app called BeReal that’s been gaining popularity with Gen Z.
The unreleased feature was spotted by a developer named Alessandro Paluzzi who is known for reverse engineering apps and finding early versions of upcoming updates. An Instagram spokesperson confirmed that the feature is an “internal prototype,” but did not provide further updates.
The idea of Candid Challenges is supposed to give users random notifications at a different time each day, prompting users to take an authentic picture that will open the front and rear-facing camera and give users a two-minute window to take the picture. Content shared via challenges will appear in the Stories.
The idea of it is nearly identical to BeReal, a social media app that’s marketed as being a more candid and authentic alternative to mainstream social media platforms. The app launched back in 2019 and prompts users to take a photo using their phone’s front and rear-facing cameras at a random time each day. The prompts expire after two minutes as well.
BeReal has been currently sitting near the top in the App Store, ahead of Instagram and Facebook. It’s been one of the most popular apps with Gen Z this summer and it’s been continuing to rise in popularity as time passes.
It would not be the first time Meta has borrowed features from other popular social media apps and integrated them into its own line of platforms. Back when Snapchat was becoming popular, Meta introduced Stories. TikTok’s explosive growth in popularity led to Meta adding Reels to Facebook and Instagram as well.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
